Small Community-Oriented Business Also Saves Energy

I grew up getting my food at least once a week from mom-and-pop diners or independent hamburger stands. I was never much of a fan of drive-in chains though I have to admit I appreciate the clean bathrooms, and now access to the internet. But there's never been a doubt for me where the customer service and the food were the best. And there are any number of things about a small business that's not driven by the corporate culture that's usually better for the community. Here's a story from Yahoo about a laundromat that's full service and that also saves energy (hat tip to Suburban Guerilla):

The most popular feature of the self-proclaimed World's Largest Laundromat is not the massive machines that wash eight loads at a time. It is the aviary.

The 12 finches, two miniature doves and a yellow canary flirt and flitter in a cheerful glass-encased pen next to the coin machines.

(snip)

But while the aviary and perks like free coffee and donuts may be the secret to the laundromat's popularity, the secret to its financial success is the banks of solar panels on the roof.

Benson figures the 36 panels save him about 2,000 dollars a month in energy costs by shouldering the bulk of the work of heating the water for his 157 washing machines, which run 24 hours a day.

"It's such a good idea business-wise and conservation-wise that they should make it the law," he said.

Hey, shouldn't the electric grid be hooked up to the exercise machines in America's gyms?