The flagship store of WASH&FOLD, an urban social laundry service, will open on April 18th at the Nakameguro Koukashita shopping complex in Nakameguro, Tokyo (2-45-14 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Koukashita 78). WASH&FOLD, which opened its first store in Yoyogi, Tokyo, in March 2005, offers laundry services and coin laundry, and has expanded to 18 locations nationwide. This flagship store will be the first in the industry to offer laundry services using Ecostore, an eco-friendly detergent developed in New Zealand. The store will also offer LICUE, a water-based cleaning brand that uses no petroleum-based organic solvents. The store's system allows customers to fill a designated laundry bag with as many T-shirts as they like (approximately 60 T-shirts), and the service will wash, dry, and fold them. The store also offers a variety of laundry options, including pickup and delivery, fabric softener selection with a choice of scents, and color-coded laundry options.

The latest coin laundry machine has also been installed. It can accommodate everything from everyday laundry to large futons and sneakers. It also features the world's first laundry machine specifically for delicates. Based on the concept of "washing more gently than hand washing," the machine uses a cradle-like motion to wash and dry your clothes.

The store design was handled by ITO MASARU DESIGN PROJECT/SEI, a global company specializing in unique interior design. The white walls and green theme of the interior create a sophisticated yet warm atmosphere that overturns the traditional image of coin laundries and dry cleaners.

At the opening, Shingo Kitamura, project manager at Apis Inc., commented, "We hope Wash & Hold will become a part of your lifestyle and a place for the community."