Finding Minnesota: A Laundromat Dripping With Dolls
SPRING GROVE, Minn. (WCCO) – Some laundromats offer tanning beds, arcade games and even beer taps to help customers pass the time.
But the owner of L J's Ye Old Wash in Spring Grove is providing his own unique spin for those waiting on the spin cycle.
Lucky Volkenant, 72, has spent years covering the walls and ceiling of his laundromat with dolls.
"I've gotten to like them over the years," he said. "It's a piece of art, and each one is a different character, different personality."
Lucky has been a collector for 50 years, a laundromat owner for half that time. At some point, he decided the two things would go well together, giving customers something to look at.
"It takes a little time, but it's fun to do," he said.
Lucky's wife, Jean, is not a big fan.
"He started hanging them and kept on going and that's what we've got," she said. "I think it's crazy but other people think it's really neat."
At last count, there were 2,726 dolls on display, and Jean has asked her husband to stop there.
"Because there's no way to dust them," she said. "I can't climb up there to dust them."
Lucky said his hobby is what keeps him going. He buys a lot of odd things at estate sales, re-selling some of them at a shop that's attached.
"The only dolls I never put up there is the Chucky dolls," he said, "because there are people scared of them, I guess."
Lucky said his collection allows many customers to reminisce.
"When these older ladies come in, they'll point them out, 'I had this one or that one' -- or whatever -- 'when I was a little girl,'" he said.
And now, after her initial objections, even his wife is on-board.
"It is what it is," she said. "I didn't really like it, but what are you going to do?"
In Lucky's shop, you can buy everything from books and VHS movies to fishing rods and binoculars, but the dolls are not for sale.
L J's Ye Old Wash is located at 158 West Main Street in Spring Grove. The phone number: 507-498-3902.