Sudz in Pacific Grove redefines the modern laundromat.

They say in the future that books will become obsolete and cars will drive themselves. But there isn’t much mention of laundromats.

Fortunately, a new wash-and-fold headquarters in Pacific Grove called Sudz offers a peek of what they might look like.

Almost hidden between a nail salon and a real estate office, the mat – at first glance – looks like many found on the Peninsula, with white linoleum floors, rows of industrial appliances, a television playing The View, and the occasional kid running about.

But on the machines, conspicuous black panels jut out where coin drops should appear. Two 8-by-10-inch LCD touch screens lurk on the wall, right next to the laundry detergent dispenser, listing instructions in several languages. A surprising number of people tap away on laptops. Other customers visit a well-equipped coffee station. Upon entry, all are immediately greeted by one of several staffers.

There are less obvious futuristic elements as well. A full-sun-spectrum lighting system deploys only as much light as is needed from low-energy bulbs to supplement the natural light. The washing machines use 70 percent less water than regular machines. Free Wi-Fi pulls in students, businessmen or anybody with an iPod and a load of dirties. Four TVs get 230 channels.

The people at Sudz are as intriguing as the technology. Before I set foot in the place, I reached co-owner Kevin McCallum by phone, and his enthusiasm over every detail of the place immediately consumed 10 minutes. He’s thrilled to be back in Monterey County, the 55-year-old commercial investor’s birthplace, after spending the last eight years in Florida, where he and his wife Loni directed an outpatient facility called Park Place Medical Center.

Upon their return, Kevin and Loni wanted to maintain a “semi-retired” lifestyle, so they researched green technologies, found little high-tech competition from neighboring laundromats, and opened the storefront.

At Sudz, I couldn’t help but be startled by a “Hey! How you doin’?” from a cheery blonde in a red sweatshirt and jeans. Loni, co-owner of Sudz, quickly helped me understand that the future of laundromats is a beautiful thing.

The caffeine station is stocked with organic Lappert’s coffee, creamer, sugar and cups. Customers can easily log onto the Internet and commence watching Soulja Boy do the “Bird Walk” on YouTube or e-mailing business contacts in Korea. After slipping ones, fives, and tens into the machines with LCD screens, out pops a slim plastic “Cyberwash Cash Card” with a picture of a smiling washer and dryer. That goes into the machines, where one load runs $2, three loads cost $4 and six go for $6. Every 10 minutes of dryer time costs a quarter; the machines can hold up to eight loads.

After showing me the place, Loni threw out an idea that threw me for a spin-cycle loop: letting her team take care of my laundry. As a seasoned laundress, the idea of someone else washing my clothes seemed silly, until she began to explain. “You’re gonna spend about six bucks right now,” she said, eyeing my bag, then grabbing my bag of laundry and taking it to a scale in another room. “It’s eight pounds. We can wash it for a dollar per pound. That’s only two more than you’re spending. Plus we’ll take extra care of those,” pointing to my favorite unmentionables, “hang ’em up, fold, everything.”

No more loading, unloading, folding, and hanging; instead, a few hours of personal time. It sounded like a dream, but this laundro-mission was my own. I told Loni I’d take her up on her offer the next chance I got.

After selecting the appropriately sized machine and getting the revolutions going, I took a seat and started working on my laptop. Loni came by again and expressed how excited she was to have a new customer: “We’re so glad you came to check us out!”

She wasn’t the only one.

SUDZ, located at 709 Lighthouse Ave. in Pacific Grove, is open 7am-9pm daily. 324-4920.