Reader report: The Wash House has apparently closed; space is for rent

The Wash House, the laundro-bar that made a big splash when it opened earlier this year, has apparently closed, per a tipster.

It is/was the place at 44 E. First St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue where you could have some beer or wine or a grilled-cheese sandwich while someone washed your clothes in the back.

The place certainly had some public relations power behind it, landing coverage everywhere from NY1 to CNN. (Apparently all that press didn't convert many viewers into customers. And their PR power skipped over neighborhood outlets.)

The Wash House website is no longer active ... and they were closed during stated business hours yesterday ... and there haven't been any updates on their social media accounts since May.

Meanwhile, the space has been on the market. Current asking rent is $4,500 a month (plus $165,000 key money), per the NYCRS site, which also notes that the space is "Eligible for full liquor license in 4 months."

As BoweryBoogie pointed out back in February, there was "vehement opposition from the 1st Street Block Association and CB3 District Manager Susan Stetzer" over this beer-wine application.

However, SLA Chairman Dennis Rosen approved the wine and beer license subject to a zoning resolution with the DOB.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A 'laundry bistro' in the works for East First Street

Oh, that laundro-cafe concept really happened on East 1st Street

Oh, that laundro-cafe concept really happened on East 1st Street

Dang, been meaning to point this out... remember the laundro-cafe concept for 44 E. First St. between Second Avenue and First Avenue that we first wrote about in February 2013?

CB3 wasn't crazy about the idea, and... well, long story — but The Wash House is a reality.

Lady Grand first reported that the space opened for business last Thursday. She filed a report for BoweryBoogie here, who noted: "you can drop your shit in the back, and they clean it with '100% organic detergent,' all while you sip suds."


[Photo by Lady Grand]

Here is their official About via Facebook:

Grab a glass of beer or wine or even a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich while hanging out with friends and getting your laundry done...

So... anyone try out The Wash House yet?

Previously on EV Grieve:
A 'laundry bistro' in the works for East First Street

Laundry-bistro concept not washed up

During Monday night's CB3/SLA committee meeting, members did not approve of the venture for 44 E. First St. — The Wash House, the laundromat-bistro concept that we reported on here. (Per an EVG informant at the meeting, committee members were apparently turned off, in part, by the fact that the applicants didn't have a clear idea of how much of the business would be derived from alcohol sales.)

We reached out to the proprietors via email to see what the next steps were. They had already signed a lease for the space here between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

"We're considering taking the concept to another space and subleasing the current space to an all-night arcade or skateboard shop/cafe."

Previously on EV Grieve:
A 'laundry bistro' in the works for East First Street