Highlander laundromat is getting a makeover

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A lot of changes are being made at the Highlander Laundromat now that the business has changed hands.

An Eagan, Minnesota man--Pete Espinosa--has bought the property.  He tells decorahnews.com he wanted to "positively contribute" to the Decorah community and saw an opportunity to do just that.

Espinosa is a 1981 Luther College graduate.  His wife is a 1984 Luther graduate and at least eight other family members have graduated from Luther.  So when he and his wife began thinking about going somewhere they could take a break from the busy pace of the Twin Cities, they looked south instead of north--and bought the laundromat.

Espinosa has already installed a flat screen TV in the laundromat and is installing free wi-fi.  A hot water heater that hadn't been in operation for five years has been repaired.  The bathroom in the laundromat will be unlocked from early in the morning through the middle of the evening.  A cleaning person will make regular visits.  A new ceiling has been installed.  Most importantly, all of the washers and dryers have been inspected by professionals and are either in working condition now or will be replaced.

Espinosa says more changes might be made in a year or so.  His wife wants to open a general store in the building and Espinosa says he's open to anything that will help enhance the community.