The Mat: Boulder Creek's Laundromat, Renovated and App-Run

Mar 27

Brandon Parker grew up around laundromats. Erin Hexem disliked them. When they renovated The Mat, his third-generation familiarity with the business met her list of things that should be cleaner and easier.

Brandon's family has owned the Boulder Creek laundromat property since 1974. In 2021, Brandon and Erin reopened it with app-connected machines, virtual assistance and an attended wash-and-fold service.

The attended part didn't last. The Mat's current FAQ says wash-and-fold is permanently closed and there is no on-site attendant. The laundromat now runs as self-service with virtual support. The app remains, and customers who don't want to use a phone can pay at the card kiosk.

How it works

Self-service. The washers and dryers are new, with touch screens, and payment runs through an app, so there's no hunting for quarters before you load up. If you'd rather not use a phone, there's a card kiosk in the store. The app also pays out cash-back rewards for regulars. The store is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, which leaves room for a before-work load or an after-dinner one.

Wash-and-fold is gone. The Mat's own FAQ says the drop-off service has been shut down because it took a full staff to run. If you need laundry washed and folded for you, plan on a trip down the valley, or call 831-609-4958 to ask what they suggest.

While you wait

The Mat leans into the waiting time rather than pretending it doesn't exist. There are vending machines for detergent if you forgot yours, plus snacks and drinks, and music and TV to fill the cycle. The El Rey Leon taco truck has been known to post up on site, which turns a wash cycle into dinner; whether it's there on a given night is a truck's prerogative, so treat it as a bonus rather than a plan.

A laundromat downtown is also the practical answer to comforters, sleeping bags, storm-week power outages, and the week the dryer at home gives up.

Hours and where it is

The Mat is at 12890 Highway 9, Boulder Creek, a few doors from the center of downtown. Store hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Phone 831-609-4958, and the business also answers on Facebook Messenger. Hours can shift, so confirm before a late-night run.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is The Mat?

12890 Highway 9, Boulder Creek, CA 95006, in downtown Boulder Creek. Phone 831-609-4958.

What are the hours?

The store is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. Confirm before you go, especially around holidays.

Do the machines take quarters?

No, and you don't need a phone either. Payment runs through an app on the new machines, and the shop's own site says there's a card kiosk in the store if you'd prefer plastic. The virtual attendant can help if you get stuck the first time.

Is there wash-and-fold service?

Not anymore. The business's own FAQ says the wash-and-fold service has been shut down, so plan on self-service.

Can I wash big items like comforters?

Large items are what a laundromat's machines are for. Check the drum sizes posted on the washers, or ask through the virtual attendant which machines fit oversized loads.