By Steve Bigham

The suds are back in Sandy Hook.

After more than a 10-year absence, Newtown finally has a laundromat to call its own. PJ's laundromat at 110 Church Hill Road (behind the Sandy Hook Deli) opened its doors late last month and is now in full operation. The full-service facility, with its 21 front-load Speed Queen washers and 20 dryers, fills a void in Newtown, which has not had a laundromat since the late 1980s. Back then, Soaps & Suds catered to those with dirty clothes along Glen Road, just around the corner from where PJ's now sits. Sharron Doherty, a 1984 NHS graduate, earned extra money by working there after school.

Today, she's back in the laundry business, only this time she's in charge. She and her husband, Daniel, are the owner-operators. So who is PJ? He's the couple's adorable 22-month-old son who seems tickled pink about having a laundromat named after him. The youngster was seen hanging around the place last Friday, visiting with customers and having fun. Meanwhile, his dad was helping customers lug in laundry, while his mom was answering questions about how to use the machines.

During its first weekend, PJ's was paid a visit by a girls' youth soccer team from Wilton, which used its break between games to clean uniforms.

"Kids were running around everywhere. They were in town for the Memorial Day Weekend soccer tournament," Daniel said.

And last weekend, the machines were all up and running as residents from Newtown, Southbury, Monroe, and Bethel all arrived with laundry baskets, detergent, and quarters in hand.

Located along the Pootatuck River, PJ's offers fishermen an opportunity to reel in a few fish while their clothes are in the wash. One angler last week caught eight fish while his clothes were in the wash and another four while they were in the dryer.

"I've been waiting a long time for this place to open. I think it will do well," said Newtown resident Andrea Johannsen. "I used to have to go to Danbury."

Have your own washer/dryer at home? PJ's offers some of the largest washers around, and they're great for cleaning large comforters, rugs, and blankets, which are simply too big for the average household machine. Hey horse owners, remember to leave your horse blankets at home. PJ's does not allow them.

A typical full wash and dry usually takes about an hour.

PJ's is open seven days a week, from 7 am to 9 pm (last wash at 8 pm).

Wash, dry, and fold service is also available.

For more information, call PJ's at 426-8679.