Meet Terri Esposito: Owner of TJ Launderette, LLC

is a far cry from some of the dimly lit, dusty, cramped, perfect-setting-for-a-horror-movie laundromats I've used in various parts of New York. Terri Esposito and her friend Denise are behind the counter as a young man approaches them with a tear in need of mending in his favorite sweater. The scene is evocative of a mother-son relationship, an expectant look on his face that says, "It can be fixed...right?" 

The place is spacious and bright with plenty of sunshine pouring in. All of the machines look brand new; they're spotless and shiny, much like the pristine, bright, white floors. The moisture in the air and the bright light foster dozens of bright green plants draped about in the center of all the machines. Two flat-screen televisions hang from the ceiling, entertaining waiting customers. 

North Branford Patch: Why did you choose North Branford for your business location?

Terri Esposito: I live here, my son goes to school nearby so when this place opened up, we knew some of the landlords. We made a few phone calls and...nine years later, here we are. Also Northford never had a laundromat so I thought it'd be a great place." 

North Branford Patch: What makes your business unique?

Esposito: It's clean. Our philosophy is, if I wouldn't wash my clothes in it, I wouldn't expect you to. It's a very welcoming atmosphere. A lot of laundromats don't have attendants so you don't get to know anyone, but there is always someone here. We'll try to help you as best we can with stains or tears and it's just very warm, homey and inviting here. 

North Branford Patch: What brought you into this business?

Esposito: My husband and I used to work for a laundromat in Wallingford, but it wasn't well taken care of. The owner wouldn't clean out the lint traps, fires would start, so the place got shut down. We decided, why not try it ourselves? We had two in Wallingford that we sold and now we're here.

North Branford Patch: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Esposito: I'm usually just here *laughs*. Other than that, I'm usually just cleaning my own home. I don't mind doing laundry though. I bring all my own laundry from home and do it here.

North Branford Patch: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Esposito: The people. The people are awesome. It's like a family. We've been blessed with really great customers.

North Branford Patch: What do you want your customers to know about your business?

Esposito: The customer is the most important. We have a Saturday morning coffee club–the guys will come here in the morning for their coffee and talk about cars with my husband. We really learn about people, what they do, what they like, what they don't like. We met a lot of great people from all over after the hurricane when everyone was without power.

One of Esposito's long-time customers, Anthony Parise, approached me as I wrapped up the interview, pushing his laundry in one hand, cane in the other.

Parise: You write for the paper?

North Branford Patch: I do, North Branford Patch. You like this place?

Parise: This store has got vibrations that are excellent. You feel like you're home. I can't come in here without them trying to carry my stuff out to the car for me. This is a remarkable place. You'd have to go far and wide to find a place like it.