Jim Radgowski and Paul Botchis are renovating their corner of Palmertown, one building at a time. They also just made it a bit easier for area residents to get their laundry done.
The two Montville residents, co-owners of Radgowski’s Deli-Mart, officially celebrated the opening of Best Wash Laundromat on Sept. 9.
The combination do-it-yourself facility and drop-off laundry service, which has been in operation since early August, has been three years in the making after the two purchased the building next door to the deli.
The space formerly had been a bar but had sat idle after the owner passed away. His family decided to sell the space to Radgowski and Botchis, who have been running the deli-mart since 1993. Radgowski was born in the house next door, at 305 Route 163.
“I thought that what this town really needed more than a bar was a good laundromat,” said Botchis, who grew up in the area. “Palmertown is a working-class neighborhood.”
The laundry facility has 15 washers and 15 dryers, plus five high-end drum washers manufactured by Milnor in three different sizes.
“A lot of people come just for those machines because they do a good job with the clothes,” Radgowski said, adding that these washers are popular with hotels and hospitals. The larger units can wash sleeping bags and other large bedding items.
Vilma Rodriguez, who has worked in the deli-mart for at least four years, handles the laundry drop-off service, which includes washing, drying, and folding. Hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, the same as the deli. The initial response to the laundry has been good, Botchis said. With an opening special coupon in this publication through September, he said it’s cheaper for people to drop off their laundry than to come in and do it themselves.
Radgowski and Botchis were committed to renovating old buildings, not replacing them with new construction. They own all four properties on the corner of Route 163 and Crandall Hill Road, from the house at 305 Route 163, and the Deli-Mart at 303, the Montville Post Office, and the building that housed Montville Liquors and an apartment upstairs.
Jim’s parents, Stanley Sr. and Genevieve, opened the deli in 1944. After they retired, it became a Dairy Mart for about 20 years. When that business relationship ended, Radgowski and Botchis decided to run the deli themselves. Botchis splits his time between a full-time job in New York as production manager of Stomp, the Broadway production, and Montville. Both men also volunteer their time to assist with Montville High School’s drama productions.
When the liquor store building came up for sale, they decided to purchase it. Renovations were extensive, including to an apartment on the second floor that has been occupied by a resident who Botchis said has been very understanding through the process.
“That building is well over 100 years. Nothing had been done since the 1950s. It needed new flooring, new electric—what didn’t it need?” he said.
Although there were issues with the state on egress points from the property, the two didn’t want to tear down the individual buildings and replace them with new construction. They resolved it by putting in a large parking lot behind the commercial buildings and adding sidewalks.
“Strip malls are not my thing,” Botchis said. “I’m really for keeping the flavor of an old New England village.”
Botchis said he and Radgowski are proud that the deli has been able to provide employment to about 20 people, including an expanded summer staff and some part-time jobs for students. They hope to encourage other business development in the area.
The two men are looking for a business or office to go into the former space of the liquor store. With the expanded parking, Botchis said, the space would be ideal for a dollar store, a hair salon, tattoo parlor, pet grooming space, or a small business office with five or six employees.
“The town feedback has been the most touching thing,” he said, acknowledging hand-written cards dropped off by deli patrons and townspeople thanking the men for their perseverance and vision to rebuild their corner of town.
With the help of Yankee Equipment and an architect, they determined what could be done with the building. That was three years ago.
“The project wasn’t supposed to take three years,” Botchis said.