Kmart comes clean with plans for convenient new laundromat

Attention Kmart shoppers: the beleaguered bargain retailer is out to prove it is far from washed up. The people who brought us the Blue Light Special are now introducing Kwash (pronounced "k" wash) a full-service laundromat attached to a Kmart store in Iowa City, a college town catering to a young, wired, multi-tasking generation.

When you think about it, the idea is brilliant. Retailers have already added Starbucks, snack bars,McDonald's and bank branches to their mix, by adding a laundromat we could actually live on the premises. I call aisle nine.

Kmart's Iowa City test site is scheduled for a grand opening on June 5 and plans to give the people what they want -- convenience, service and lots of really big loaders. Boasting 31 washers and 30 dryers (do some people opt out of drying?), the new facility will also feature free WiFi, wash and fold service, a children's play area, laundry-specific merchandise sold within the facility, an attendant on duty and a full-service Kmart check out register. Throw in the towels, dash through the store, check out at the laundry counter. It's like that commercial where Kelly Ripa glides through a perfect house thanks to her appliances ... but I digress.