Good morning on this gray but springlike Thursday.

Behind a small storefront on Mott Street, in Chinatown, every inch has been turned over to Lunar New Year decorations: long-stringed lanterns, banners and paper charms celebrating the Year of the Dog, which kicks off on Friday.

But typically, the patrons come here for something else entirely: namely, to do their laundry.

Jie Li, at 126 Mott Street, advertises “Wash & Fold, Self & Full Service” on its blue awning. For eight weeks, however, it has stocked items such as red and gold “luck” and “prosperity” charms and souvenir cards for homes and businesses, as well as for use at the Lunar New Year parade, which will wend its way through the neighborhood on Friday.