There are some businesses that become part of the rhythm of a town without making much noise about it. Arlington Laundromat is one of them. For nearly three decades, it has provided a practical service people need week after week, while also becoming one of those places where conversations happen, familiar faces cross paths, and a simple errand feels a little more local.

Marjorie Kleinjan started Arlington Laundromat in 1997, though the story really began with a move. After 40 years on the farm, she and her husband Dick moved to Arlington and were looking for a place to live, along with a place for Dick’s insurance office. The building they purchased met both needs. As Marjorie put it, “The laundromat was an added bonus of buying the building.”

That kind of beginning fits the business itself. Arlington Laundromat was not built around flash or grand plans. It grew out of a need, and over the years it has stayed centered on being useful, dependable, and available to the people who count on it.

A service that fills an important gap

One thing that makes Arlington Laundromat especially notable is how much ground it covers. Marjorie said it is “the only laundromat between Brookings & DeSmet & Watertown & Madison.” In a rural area, that matters. It means the business serves not only Arlington, but also a much wider stretch of the region.

For some customers, that means using the laundromat for regular weekly laundry. For others, it may mean stopping in when a home washer breaks down, when bedding or work clothes need extra attention, or when life simply gets busy and outside help makes a difference. It is the kind of business people may not think much about until they need it, and then they are glad it is there.

Over time, Marjorie has continued updating the equipment to keep the laundromat working well. Today, the facility has eight washers and eight dryers, including three front-load washers and five top-load washers. She noted that six washers and six dryers have been replaced with new or nearly new machines over the years. The setup does not include machines for extra-large loads, but it does cover the everyday laundry needs that bring people through the door.

Simple services, done well

Along with self-service laundry, Arlington Laundromat offers a few extras that make life easier. Marjorie keeps quarters and soap on hand, which helps customers who need supplies on the spot. She also offers wash, dry, and fold service for people who do not have time to do their own laundry. In addition, she does mending.

That combination gives the business a straightforward usefulness that fits small-town life well. Some customers want a place to wash and dry clothes quickly and get on with the day. Others need a little more help. Either way, the service is there.

When asked what she wants customers to experience when they visit, Marjorie’s answer was simple: “A comfortable place to do their laundry.” That goal comes through in the way she describes the facility and the standard she keeps. She said it is “a clean & well serviced facility,” which is still one of the clearest ways to describe what people want from a laundromat.

It is not complicated. Clean machines, a space that is cared for, and equipment that works the way it should. Those things may sound basic, but they are what turn a routine stop into a business people trust.

The everyday realities of ownership

Like most small business owners, Marjorie knows that even a straightforward business comes with its share of challenges. Asked about the biggest one, she pointed to a problem anyone who has ever used shared laundry equipment can probably understand: “People that over-load machines & then wonder why their clothes didn’t get clean or they take so long to dry.”

It is the kind of challenge that comes with running a business tied to daily habits and practical routines. A laundromat depends not only on good equipment and upkeep, but also on customers using it in ways that help it work as intended. That may be part of what makes her advice to new business owners feel so grounded. She said, “Keep regular & reasonable business hours.”

That answer sounds simple, but it says a lot. Businesses that provide everyday services become part of people’s schedules. Reliability matters. Being open when people expect you to be open matters. For a business like Arlington Laundromat, consistency is part of the service.

The people behind the loads of laundry

When asked what has been the most rewarding part of running the business, Marjorie’s answer was not about machines, numbers, or growth plans. It was “The people I get to meet.”

That line says a lot about the kind of place Arlington Laundromat has become over the years. In a smaller community, even everyday errands can be social in their own quiet way. A laundromat is one of those places where people come and go, catch up, exchange bits of news, or simply share space for a while. For some, it is a regular stop. For others, it is occasional. But over time, those visits add up to relationships and familiar patterns.

That human side of the business may be easy to miss from the outside, but it is part of what gives local businesses their place in a town. Even businesses built around practical needs are still shaped by the people who run them and the people who walk through the door.

A familiar face in the community

Marjorie’s involvement in Arlington goes beyond the laundromat itself. She is a member of the Arlington Area Chamber of Commerce and helps with Chamber projects, especially during the Christmas season. She shared that she helps as Mrs. Santa Claus and also helps with the live Christmas Nativity pageant.

That kind of involvement may not always come with a headline, but it is part of how local traditions keep going year after year. Many community events depend on people who quietly step in, show up, and do the work that needs to be done. Marjorie has been one of those people.

It also feels fitting that someone whose business is built around helping with everyday tasks would show up the same way in community life. The work may be different, but the pattern is familiar: practical help, steady presence, and a willingness to pitch in where needed.

Looking ahead

When asked about exciting plans or future projects for the business, Marjorie’s answer was brief: “No plans.” That response carries its own kind of honesty. Not every business is trying to reinvent itself. Some are doing exactly what they set out to do, and doing it well.

Arlington Laundromat has now been serving the area since 1997. Over the years, it has remained a dependable place for laundry, mending, and wash, dry, and fold service, while continuing to serve a broad area that stretches well beyond Arlington itself. That kind of staying power does not happen by accident. It comes from meeting a real need, keeping things running, and staying consistent over time.