Kmart planning laundromat at Iowa City store

Kmart will open a self-serve laundry at its Iowa City store later this month as the retailer tests the market before deciding whether to roll the concept out nationally.

The “Kwash” at 901 Hollywood Blvd. will reportedly have 31 washers and 30 dryers as well as offering free Internet WiFi service, a drop-off service, a children's play area and an attendant. Customers will be able to shop online in the laundry and pick up their purchases an hour later in the store.

Kmart will locate the laundry in the former auto service area of the store. The Kwash will have a separate entrance as well as direct access to the store.

Kmart will operate a full service checkout in the laundry, enabling customers to shop and pay for their purchases without having to go through the store's registers.

Kmart is a subsidiary of Sears Holdings in Hoffman Estates, a suburb of Chicago. The retailer is planning a June 6 grand opening for the Iowa City Kwash.