‘First women-only’ laundry opens

Even trivial tasks such as getting their clothes washed become troublesome. Many women avoid visiting laundry stores where men work, because they feel their modesty is breached if personal items like their underwear is handled by someone of the opposite sex.

But one Emirati businesswoman came up with a plan to wipe out this kind of fear faced by women on a daily basis by opening a women-only laundry shop on the east coastal city of Khorfakkan — and she is intent on opening more across the UAE. As a woman herself, Basma Khamees Al Naqabi could relate to the problems faced by women in the country, and she was keen to come up with a service that would offer peace of mind to them. This is what prompted her to open the store. Run by women only, those working at the premises handle the clothes every step of the way, from washing, to perfuming, to packing — and they even hand-deliver the clothes themselves.

Aware that women appreciate the finer details in life, Al Naqabi is sure her project will be a success as she has added special touches in her store not usually seen at ordinary laundry stores. Depending on the preferred requirements of the customer, Al Naqabi offers clothe perfuming using dukhoon (incense), as well as a special packing technique.

And with the UAE well known for its traditional nature, in-keeping with its traditions and customs, many are confident that the service will become increasingly popular with the women in the country.

When Al Naqabi, who hails from Khorfakkan herself, decided to launch her project, she wanted it to be the first-of-its-kind in the east coast, and she wanted to stand out from her competitors.

The premises includes a special unit for washing wedding gowns and occasion wear — which are also perfumed with special incense and it also offers special discounts on laundering, especially around national and religious holidays — a unique selling point 
given the numerous nationalities living in the country. And one of its most distinguishable features is the punctuality of the service, with clothes delivered on time, every time.

Al Naqabi said her vision when opening the women-only laundry stemmed from her keenness to be a pioneer and forerunner in creating successful investment opportunities for women, as she herself is a member of the Sharjah Businesswomen council.

“I wanted to make inroads in the projects which remain confined and controlled only by men, therefore I jumped to the conclusion that this women-only laundry will be the first-of-its-kind in the country,” she said, adding that she had heard about the launch of other women-only laundry stores in a number of GCC countries.

“The main objective of this laundry store is to meet the needs of women, and provide them the absolute privacy they require, hence avoid them embarrassment, tiredness and long waiting times at ordinary laundries, as well as provide special services catered to them”, she said.

And the key to her success she said, was research. “From the beginning, I studied the project properly and from all its aspects, to ensure it success before commencement”.

More than ten years ago, Al Naqabi set up a trading project for a dedicated womens centre, which served as a nucleus for her new and unique projects, including a centre specialised in nail care services.

Her brainchild laundry project was welcomed by many when she proposed it, especially female employees and teachers who work outside Khorfakkan.

“I have not faced difficulties in setting up and opening the women-only laundry, which sees a rush of customers from different parts adjacent to Khorfakkan, even from far away cities like Dubai and Al Ain.

malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com