The nation’s capital in Washington D.C. is more than just the federal home of government in the United States. It is also one of the most competitive markets for the hotel industry. In addition to catering to a broad range of corporate visitors who attend business meetings, hotels in the District of Columbia also serve many domestic and international leisure travelers and government workers.
For nearly a quarter century, Metro Laundry Service (MLS) has gradually grown while making its mark. They expanded from newcomer status to a highly respected player in the metro area by winning new business and delivering outstanding service to brand name luxury hotel customers. And they’ve accomplished this level of success with the help of wash aisle equipment from LAVATEC Laundry Technology.
A tradition of community excellence
Metro Laundry Service in Capitol Heights, Maryland is the only wholly family-owned certified Minority Business Enterprise commercial laundry business in the metro D.C. area specializing in the needs of hotels. CEO Bernard Young started the business in a small, 1500 square-foot rental property on the east side of the city in 2004. Today, their 24,000 square-foot facility is located not far from Northwest Stadium, home of the NFL Washington Commanders football team.
Steven Young, CEO of Metro Laundry Service.
Bernard’s nephew, Steven Young, serves as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. When he completed his education at Baltimore’s Morgan State University in 2004, he joined MLS the same year it opened and began working as a supervisor. In his current role, he manages various aspects of daily operations and new business development.
“I majored in IT and ended up a laundry guy. Go figure,” quipped Steven Young. “In 2004, I was one of 10 employees and it was not what I set out to do. I only planned on working here for a short period of time to help my uncle get the company off the ground.
“At the time,” continued Young, “I think we needed each other. I needed to work and have a steady income until I figured out my next move, and Bernard needed someone he could trust to oversee the operation while he was away. He has been very influential in my personal success and growth within the company. Observing him handle various aspects of the business during the early years has helped me handle the same or similar situations I encounter now.”
One situation no one was prepared for was the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. MLS had leased a second facility in Elkridge, halfway between Baltimore and Washington D.C., in October 2018 to help expand the business. By 2021, after the pandemic had significantly impacted the hotel and travel industries, they closed the location and consolidated all of the work in Capitol Heights.
A Metro Laundry Service operator makes adjustments to the 15 compartment LAVATEC tunnel wash system the company has run since 2012.
But adversity has only made the MLS team stronger. Servicing chain brands such as Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and MGM, they now employ 140 people and run two shifts daily. Young indicated 85 percent of the work is hotel room linens, as well as some food and beverage and a small fraction of spa work.
In 2024, MLS processed approximately 22 million pounds of laundry and are on pace to finish this year with a similar amount. Depending on some government related factors, Young anticipates the volume could grow to 24 million pounds in 2026. He pointed out favorable developments in the second half of 2025 that could result in more work.
In June, Metro Laundry Service was honored with the prestigious Governor’s Citation Award. The Maryland Governor’s office of Small Minority & Women Business Affairs recognized the company for its leadership and outstanding contributions to the Minority Business Enterprise small business community in the state.
Last month, MLS was named the Supplier of the Year by MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino. The popular entertainment destination resort is located south of downtown in Oxon Hill, on the eastern shore of the Potomac River.
“Winning this award reflects the dedication, expertise, and hard work of our team, and we were honored to win the Governor’s Citation Award,” acknowledged Young. “Being a certified MBE is very important to us, and we try to partner with other MBEs as much as possible for service and operational needs.”
Since his early days at MLS, Young said management has always maintained a strong commitment to its staff.
“We work with our local state and county organizations to help employ local people in the community. People in our industry know that maintaining low turnover is very difficult considering the nature of the job and labor required,” he said, explaining further that MLS organizes and supports annual cookouts, holiday parties and other events.
“Knowing that laundry is not a glamourous job or career path, we try our best to maintain a family-like atmosphere. Having several tenured employees for 10-plus years is a testament to the culture we maintain and something we are very proud of.”
Next week, in Part 2 we’ll see how LAVATEC helped Metro Laundry Service exceed their customer expectations, and how LAVATEC exceeded Metro Laundry’s expectations.
