'Laundromutt,' the first of its kind in area, to open in Brackenridge

The newest business in Brackenridge targets dirty clothes and muddy paws all in one spot.

Horizon Wash Spa, the area’s first “laundromutt,” is set to open this summer at 1132 Brackenridge Ave.

The self-serve facility offers laundry service for humans and dog-washing for four-legged friends. It will open by August in a long-vacant newsstand/convenience store just across from the ATI metals plant.

“I’ve seen this in other areas, and it seems like a nice addition,” said owner Cameron Yockey, who is eager to bring new business to town.

Yockey’s shop will be the only laundry service in the borough or within any walkable distance. The next closest one is at Heights Plaza in Harrison.

Councilman Dino Lopreiato thinks it’s a neat concept and said he’s thrilled to see new business in town.

“Anything that fills up an empty building is great,” Lopreiato said. “Plus, I think it’s needed. We don’t have anything like it.”

The combination business will be split in two.

“The dogs will enter in the back and have a separate spa space,” Yockey said. “It’s not like dogs will be wandering around between the two spots.”

The canine-grooming space will open in September with one unit where owners pay $10 for 10 minutes of wash time. Additional minutes can be purchased.

The spa will offer a vending machine with dog treats and other dog-related goodies.

On the front side of the building, 12 sets of washers/dryers will be available for self-serve laundry. Prices have not been established.

There also will be a drop-off wash and fold service offered.

Hours are expected to be from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Yockey, president of Realty ONE Group in Harrison and a Murrysville resident, purchased the building in December.

Shortly after, it was vandalized by graffiti artists who scribbled on the storefront, sidewalk and trash can.

Yockey has since remodeled the building inside and out, and equipped it with security cameras.

“It’s very modern,” he said. “We’ll have touch-screen units and TVs, and it will be air-conditioned. It’s not your typical laundromat.”

Yockey said he’s “all in” on the Highlands School District and currently has secured 30 units — a mix of housing and storefronts — to sell to potential owners. He has turned over numerous others in the district since first starting a redevelopment project here in 2019.

He said the main reason he decided on the area is the people.

“We have a large support here on our mission that isn’t discovered in other places,” Yockey said. “The business, the residents and the governing bodies all have supported our progress.”