Ground Breaking - February 2015 - Professional Carwashing & Detailing

Ground Breaking – February 2015

An overview of new carwashes, detail shops and c-stores opening around the world.

SIMSBURY, Conn.

CT Auto Spa has moved into the former Valley Car Wash location, which closed in 2010, according to the West Hartford News.

Owner Tunji Somma says in the article the facility will wash and detail cars while remaining conscious of its environmental impact.

“We’ve designed this facility to make the most efficient use of our natural spring water wells that’s important for water conservation and the environment,” notes Somma, in the article. “We have invested more than $1 million in the facility and have been working on its careful reconstruction since fall of 2013.”

The business employs 15 workers and is co-owned by Burlington resident Ken Gallup.

The site includes pay stations that accept credit cards, debit cards, cash and gift cards. Washes start at $6, and detailing is available by appointment.

Free vacuums and other services will also be added to the site.

GYPSUM, Colo.

White Water Express Car Wash has opened its full-serve location to the public, according to the Vail Daily.

The carwash features a 100-foot-long tunnel that washes cars in three minutes. Express detail attendants focus on vehicles’ interiors.

Eco-friendly products are also used. Reclaim equipment recycles more than 85 percent of each wash’s water.

A four-step Lava Shield package is available to customers, which includes a paint sealant to give vehicle finishes protection and shine.

Patrons can also use floor mat scrubbing machines and free vacuums.

Customers can purchase unlimited monthly wash memberships and corporate fleet discount packages. The wash also offers a bilingual automated pay station.

HAGERSTOWN, Md.

WLR Automotive Group Inc. is opening its fourth The Auto Spa location, according to heraldmailmedia.com.

The Auto Spa is a full-service carwash and detailing center based in Frederick.

A grand opening celebration will be held in January.

“We are thrilled to join Hagerstown’s business community and better serve our loyal customers, many of whom have been visiting us at our Frederick location for years,” shares Randall Simpson, president and chief executive officer of WLR Automotive Group, in the article.

The Auto Spa offers carwash, lube and repair services. Washes start at $11. Customers can also purchase unlimited wash memberships.

TYLER, Texas

Time It Lube’s new Xpress Car Wash gave away free carwashes to all customers Dec. 19-20 during its grand opening celebration, according to tylerpaper.com.

Visitors to the wash between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. can also use the location’s free vacuums.

The carwash sell its monthly unlimited wash packages starting at $15.

Time It Lube was established in 1987 in Shreveport, Louisiana. The company has 25 locations across Louisiana and East Texas.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.

The Maple Hill Auto Group will add a state-of-the-art carwash to its facilities when it undergoes a $3.5 million expansion, according to mlive.com.

Its Subaru franchise will get its own showroom, and the Volvo, Hyundai and Audi areas of the dealership will also see improvements.

A service driveway will be converted into a soft-cloth, conveyor carwash.

The wash will be able to handle about five times as many cars as it can handle now. The dealership cleans customers’ cars for free, as well as the cars it offers for sale.

The facility will also see environmentally-conscious improvements. Insulation will be improved and high-efficiency lights are expected to reduce heating and cooling costs by 40 percent.

SOUTHBURY, Conn.

Splash Car Wash has opened its 17th location, according to a press release. The new site includes a wash tunnel, oil change and detailing facility.

The location facility formerly operated as Southbury Car Wash. Splash converted its automated tunnel to hand wash conveyor, similar to 10 of its other locations.

CEO Mark Curtis said in the release the company has several other reservations planned, and the wash will try to stay open while those are going on.

Splash combines the experience of a hand wash with a conveyor. Curtis shared in the release that his company has gotten the process down to a science.

“And because we do it on line, we can provide a hand wash with vacuum and windows in less than 15 minutes,” explains Curtis, in the release.

Customers can join Splash Rewards, the chain’s loyalty program that gives members a free carwash after nine washes and a free rewash after three days of a fully paid wash.

WICHITA, Kan.

Devlin Rod and Customs recently moved into a larger location, according to Kansas.com.

Owner Tim Devlin built his business from scratch before moving into the new 12,000-square-foot building.

Devlin learned how to work on car bodies and fabricate street rods and chassis at WyoTech in Wyoming.

While interviewing for his first job, Devlin ended up buying the business. He got a loan and opened Devlin Customs.

The new shop allows Devlin to work on more projects at once. It has its own room for detailing and delivery services.

KINCARDINE, Ontario

One town may soon receive a carwash and dog wash, according to the Blackburn News.

In addition to the dog wash, The Auto Spa will include an automatic carwash bay and five self-serve bays.

City council members have “been told that the application complies with the official plan designation, and will not have a negative impact on the economic viability of the downtown,” reports the article.

No traffic impact study or stormwater management report is needed.

HOLLAND, Mich.

The fourth Quality Car Wash has opened, according to the Holland Sentinel.

The Essenburg family owned the land for the wash for 18-20 years before constructing the building. During construction the company acquired two other locations.

The Holland facility is the first with the new Tommy Car Wash Systems carwash. The company develops all the equipment used at the wash.

The company began when President Ryan Essenburg’s grandfather opened a carwash in 1969. It now operates six locations and employs about 120 people.

The new site was designed to be bright and energy efficient. Drivers going through the wash can see the parking lot since the building is all windows.

Three entry lanes were added so wash club members can go around customers using the wash sales window. It also houses a Tim Horton’s restaurant.

DICKINSON, N.D.

The Hub truck stop and convenience store hopes to serve oilfield workers, truck drivers and working moms on the go, according to prairiebizmag.com.

General Manager of The Hub Convenience Stores Jared Scheeler says in the article that he and his business partner wanted to create “an upscale convenience store.”

“[This group] “for generations has avoided C-stores because of all the negative stereotypes that are associated with the industry,” shares Scheeler, in the article.
The Hub features a well-lit parking lot and 45 security cameras. It also includes a travel center, 100-foot conveyor belt carwash, 10 gasoline pumps and 11 diesel stations.

The store has been in development for one year. The facility has more than 2,000 square feet of space dedicated to its food service area, which includes coffee and brands like Schlotzsky’s and Cinnabon Express.

Scheeler states in the article that more stores are possible in the future, but for now the company is concentrating on making the first store a success.

NOBLESVILLE, Ind.

Prime Car Wash recently washed 967 cars for free during the grand opening weekend of its second location, according to currentzionsville.com.

Prime offers customers a full-service wash plus express and detailing services. The wash features its Prime Café, including coffee, free Wi-Fi and iPad use.

The company was founded in 2012 by a medical sales representative and two chiropractors who owned their own practice.

Exterior-only washes start at $12. Hand wax, hard surface cleaning, wheel bling, shampoo, clay bar and other services are also available.

Members can take advantage of discounts and use members-only lanes and special promotional days.
 

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