To My Dearest Laundry Lovers,

As a proud native of Scotch Plains, New "Joisy," Laundry Basket is my love letter to my family, Fountain Baptist Church, and of course, to New Jersey itself. I wouldn’t be who I am today without this state, the opportunities afforded to my grandparents, the lessons taught by my school teachers and endless encouragement from my elders and village. 

But most importantly, I wouldn’t be here without YOU—my valued customers, who come from all walks of life. Whether you're a long-time local or just passing through, Laundry Basket exists because of the community we’ve built together.

When you step into Laundry Basket, I want you to feel like you're walking into your second home. I’ve poured my heart, soul, and countless hours of hard work into making this purpose-driven, community-focused laundromat a place that radiates warmth and care. Over the course of my career in government, entertainment, and politics, I’ve always loved connecting with people from all backgrounds, and it’s that same passion for uplifting and empowering others that fuels everything we do here. I’m so proud to be at the heart of Avenel —this vibrant, hopeful community that has welcomed me with open arms.

Like you, I understand the value of saving both time and money. And as a God-fearing woman, I was raised with the belief that cleanliness is next to godliness—so you’ll always find a clean, welcoming space at Laundry Basket.

I’ll be honest—I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I first stumbled upon that listing on Facebook Marketplace. Growing up, I didn’t have this love for laundry at all. In fact, I was forced to do my own laundry starting in third grade because I kept leaving lip gloss in my pockets and messing up my family’s clothes. My mom said I wasn’t about to keep wasting all the hard-earned cents/scents my dad made as a union carpenter! So, she taught me how to treat stains, separate colors from whites, air-dry clothes, and fold them while they’re still warm.

Now some may call me Xtra but when the opportunity came to return to my home state, I figured I just needed to give it my All. I had nothing to lose and everything to Gain. How could one simple discovery change my direction like a Surf during a high Tide? I’m still not entirely sure, but I take it one day at a time. With so much change going on in the world, I’m never one to fold or wash my hands of any dirty laundry. One thing I do know for sure: integrity and purpose will always illuminate my path, no matter what.

Now, as an entrepreneur and a brick-and-mortar small business owner of Laundry Basket, we’re going back to the basics—community, cleanliness, and giving each other a fair, honest shake. When you walk through our doors, I want you to feel at ease, at peace, and at home. You can wash away your cares, join us for community events, or simply drop off your laundry for a wash-and-fold (we’ve got you covered!). Whether you want to relax with a game of chess, curl up with a book, or chat with a neighbor, there’s always something to do. It’s not just a neighborhood laundromat; it’s a vibe.

Thank you for being part of our journey. You make Laundry Basket what it is today, and I can’t wait to continue serving you with love, care, and a whole lot of Jersey pride 💙.

If you ever need to reach me or want to figure out how we can vibe in community together, you can always give me a Shout or text at  908.206.7116 or send an email to Denise@laundrybasketnj.com. I’ll be sure to get back to you.

With gratitude,
Denise L. Horn