Will A New Laundromat Replace Kleen Machine?

PARK SLOPE – A reader wrote in to BKLYNER to inform us that the laundromat Kleen Machine located at 309 5th Avenue is slated to close.

The long-time customer is sorry to lose her neighborhood laundry facility or “valued resource” as she calls it, and is angered by greedy landlords. She heard the news from an employee who told her that Kleen Machine would shut down by the end of the year due to a rent hike.

BKLYNER went by the shop on Tuesday and spoke to the owner, Jerry Burnstein, who was reluctant to discuss the matter, saying it’s a “delicate situation.” He pointed out a “Store For Rent” sign hanging out front and mentioned that after running his business at the location for 15 years, his lease for the space has expired.

Burnstein said he’s “not sure” about the future of his laundromat, adding that he’s been operating the shop with uncertainty since approximately May and is trying to negotiate with his landlord.

A call to Daniel Borrero, Jr., the owner of the property, confirmed that he’s been looking for a new tenant for the space for approximately six months but he insisted it’s not due to a rent hike but because Burnstein would like to retire.

Borrero added that he’s currently in talks with two different laundromat business owners, noting that it’s a needed service in the neighborhood. He was not able to provide a time-frame for when a new laundry business would take over the space.