Williamsburg Gets a Shiny New 'Copper Coin'

For four years, the residents of Williamsburg were without one of the main staples of a community – a laundromat.

However, the wait for a new one is over. Enter Todd Covert and Jake Simonis, Altoona natives and owners of the Copper Coin, a laundromat located in the Juniata section of Altoona.

"We had been looking for a second location," Simonis said.

"We saw the need for a laundromat in Williamsburg and we saw this building," Covert said.

Covert and Simonis bought the building and the parking lot adjacent to the laundromat. Both were in dire need of repair. After some improvements, the Copper Coin (Williamsburg location) opened officially on Thursday, Jan. 7.

"Our clients in Juniata always praise us for how we keep the laundromat spotless. We take a lot of pride in our businesses," Covert said.

"Everyone's been great so far, so helpful and so welcoming. The borough guys have been awesome and we just thank all those who helped us move into the building or offered us an encouraging word. That's why we do this," Simonis said of Williamsburg.

Harry Mullins of Williamsburg said, "this is something the people of Williamsburg needed. These guys (Covert and Simonis) have no idea how big this is for our town, we will never ever repay them enough."

For Covert and Simonis, this is just a side business. But opening small businesses, they both agree, "are tough. You have to be dedicated, 100 percent," they said.

The Copper Coin on West Second Street is open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and offers 14 washers and 8 dryers.