Laundry & Lattes brings together two things that make an obvious pair. Not only does this place allow you to buy coffee and pastries and sit munching and sipping while catching up on some work using the WiFi, java is actually a decent local brand and the same goes for the baked goods.

The laundromat space has been completely renovated with a new coat of paint and new flooring, plus several impressive new Maytag dryer units.

Of course, the coffee bar area is completely new, complete with kitschy cafe decor and the whole space has a nice clean feel that isn’t dingy and depressing like a lot of laundromats.

A Simonelli espresso machine and Fiorenzati grinder add extra sheen and a level of professionalism to the cafe side of the operation.

de Mello Palheta provided all coffee and training to co-owners Nicole de Cunha-Ferreira and Kevin Ferreira, who were attracted to the brand due to their shared Portuguese heritage and positive community-based attitude.

Latte art isn’t winning any competitions and the milk foam becomes bubbly and dissipates quickly, but the price is absolutely right at $4 and I can see this absolutely saving an early morning study/laundry session (they open at 7 a.m. on weekends).

All coffees use de Mello’s Gentleman House Blend, 80% Brazilian and 20% Kenyan beans with a smooth, chocolatey flavour. A large caffe mocha is $3, made with rich high-end 1883 chocolate sauce. You can also opt to add 75-cent 1883 vanilla syrup shots to drinks.

Pastries are provided by Saving Mondays, including almond croissants for $2.95.

They also do muffins ($2.95) in lemon poppy seed and a blueberry variety studded through with sweet and vibrantly coloured fruit, the top nice and crusty, and the size decent for a quick breakfast.

Lastly there are several varieties of cookies made by the same company including gluten-free options.

Some in the neighbourhood also just stop in for coffee on the way to the subway, a quick espresso going for $2.50.

Self-serve washes cost $3.50 a load, and drying costs 25 cents per four minutes. What was once an old storage room at the back of the space has also now been converted into a clean, spacious and private folding room.

They also serve Sloane teas, and both bags of beans ($17) and tins of tea ($24) are available for purchase.

There’s also a vending machine with the obligatory laundry supplies, a change machine and in warmer months even ice cream from Central Smith.