Kelly Bahls, owner of KB’s Bubbles said he named the business after his daughter, Kaylee, 7.
There’s good news for oil workers and RV dwelling residents who don’t have the convenience of personal washing machines and dryers in their homes.
The opening of KB’s Bubbles at 115 9th Ave NE along the truck route is providing a place where people can wash their clothes in coin operated machines or take advantage of the wash and fold service that enables laundry goers to drop off their clothing and pick it up the next day.
Wash and fold services will be available within the next week.
Kelly Bahls, 39, a lifelong Sidney resident hopes his newest business venture will create a retirement security net for himself while helping fill a growing need in the community. “With all of the people coming into the area I wanted to start a business that would be sustainable that I could plan on for my retirement when the time comes. I saw a need for additional laundry facilities and by doing this I have created a future maintenance job for myself,” he said.
With 32 new stainless steel washing machines humming along and the smell of fresh linen and fabric softened clothing wafting the air, Bahls’ business dream has become a recent reality. Inside, black tables and chairs are available for folks to pull up a seat and relax and in a matter of days a couple of television sets will be installed to help keep patrons entertained. The building is also equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities for those who want to stay plugged in. Several washing machines are strictly designated as greaser machines for oil splattered clothing.
With coin operated services available 24 hours a day, patrons with varying work schedules can use the laundry facilities at their convenience.
Jacob Phillips, a patron, said he is using the facility until he is able to get a washer and dryer hooked up into his RV. “This is a really nice facility. Everything is new and the washers are a really good quality. I will still come here to wash my linens because the washers are so big,” he said.
An anonymous patron from Idaho said he was most excited about the wash and fold services available because he doesn’t have the time or the desire to wash his own laundry. “This place is definitely catering to the oil field and I think it’s great to have these services available,” he said.
Originally, Bahls planned to only offer coin operated services but his entrepreneurial thinking grew the business before the doors ever opened. While including the wash and fold services, he also plans to add an attached convenience store that will carry snacks and other travel friendly foods. Hiring several employees, he plans to lean on the expertise of Kellie Hart to help manage the convenience store and Deb Huft, of Sidney, to help him iron out the details of the wash and fold service.
Bahl’s currently owns his Kelly’s T n T, a drywall company and has been in business for nearly 10 years.
KB’s Bubbles is named after his seven year old daughter, Kaylee Bahls.
Bahls started searching for a piece of property a year ago that could potentially house his laundry facility. He chose the location along the truck route because potential customers pass by continually and it would be convenient and accessible to truckers driving large semi trucks. Once he acquired the land he used his carpentry skills to build the business literally from the ground up and used local contractors for the heating and plumbing. He broke ground last August and poured concrete in September admitting that it could have been completed faster if he had not traveled to Alaska for his annual moose hunting trip.
For design inspiration, he traveled to places like Billings, Mont., and Dickinson N.D to look at other established facilities. Once he came up with a layout for his own business he received some additional help and suggestions from Dexter, the company he purchased the washing machines through.
“One of the good things about building something yourself is that you can control costs better. This entire process has been an exciting adventure. It’s a big step for me and I’m nervous but everyone seems to really like it,” he said.
Locally, Bahls contracted with B & J Heating and Mike Potts of Sidney and Quality Concrete and Quinnell Electric, of Savage.
Bahls said he still has more concrete to pour to increase the size of the parking lot and anticipates completing the convenience store by the end of summer.
The laundry facility is open 24 hours a day and the next-day, wash and fold services are tentatively scheduled for 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
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