In 1992, Miriam Carballo opened M&W Laundromat at the corner of Manhattan Ave. and Huron St. in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. On the afternoon on November 9, a three alarm fire started in the apartments above the laundromat, requiring the response of 133 fire and EMS personnel.

Miriam and her laundromat are a staple of the Greenpoint community, one that has seen rapid changes over the last decade. As chain laundromats come and go in the neighborhood, Miriam and her staff have welcomed newcomers to the block, watched babies grow up, and have provided a space for other vendors to operate and community members to gather. With a history beyond washing clothes, Miriam and her daughter ran an ice cream and empanada business (Corner Frenzy) inside the laundromat in the late 2000s.

Thankfully no one was injured by the fire, but M&W is closed indefinitely due to significant damage. Miriam is devastated but poised to reopen. Her close knit staff are out of work while M&W is closed, so we are raising funds to support the M&W crew during this difficult time.