CHARLOTTE, N.C.
Autobell Car Wash Inc. has opened new facilities in Georgia and Virginia, according to a press release.
The new Georgia wash is located in Marietta on the former site of Wash Barn. It is the company’s first location in Marietta and the sixth in the metro Atlanta area.
Autobell’s newest Virginia facility is on the former Car-Robics site in Newport News. It marks the second in the town and the ninth in the Hampton Roads area.
The two new locations bring the company’s total wash count to 67. Autobell was founded in 1969 in Charlotte, N.C.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.
Hoffman Development Corp. is planning its 22nd location in the area, according to the Albany Business Review.
The new exterior wash should be open by December 2015. The company is spending between $2.5 and $3 million in the facility.
The location will be the company’s third in the county, which is the fastest-growing community in the state. Hoffman has another carwash about nine miles away from the site.
"We're aggressively trying to build new locations," says Hoffman’s CEO in the article. "It's a growing area. We're really optimistic about the success of the location."
The site will employ between eight and 10 full- and part-time workers.
LAS VEGAS
Terrible Herbst offered visitors free carwashes and more March 7-8 to commemorate its new location, according to a press release.
Customers and their families visited the wash and enjoyed free hot dogs, carwashes and chances to win prizes like oil changes and gas cards.
The new facility includes a convenience store, gas station and full-service carwash. It also has a customer lounge with free Wi-Fi, and the carwash tunnel features an LED light show.
Prices for a carwash regularly start at $7 for an exterior wash. “Customers that purchase carwashes at the gas pump receive an additional 20 cents per gallon discount,” shared the release.
Terrible Herbst has more than 40 carwashes, 21 lube centers and 100 c-stores in the area.
ST. LOUIS, Mo.
Rain Tunnel Express Car Wash has purchased Auto Spa Car Wash in Glen Carbon, Illinois, for its seventh location, according to a press release.
Rain Tunnel will remodel the facility before it opens.
The wash opened its first location in Granite City in 1995, and it is now one of the largest carwash operations in the area.
The company’s washes are located in St. Louis and Illinois.
CARY, N.C.
Kangaroo Express’ new Fayetteville store will feature personalized, military-themed elements, including a Wall of Honor to recognize local service members, according to a press release.
The company recognized the first honoree, Cpl. Cody Stanton, on March 12. Stanton received the Purple Heart after losing both legs as a result of injuries sustained in January 2012.
“The Wall of Honor is a reflection of Kangaroo Express’ deep pride and admiration for local service members,” says Paul Stoner, regional sales director for Kangaroo Express, in the release. “Our hope is that store guests who see this wall will take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices, and celebrate the accomplishments, of these local heroes, starting with Cpl. Stanton.”
Local artists had the opportunity to design the store’s military appreciation mural through an online contest, and a winner was chosen April 10. Kangaroo Express also supports the military through its Salute Our Troops campaign, which raised $1.9 million in 2014. It is also committed to helping veterans find jobs.
ROCKFORD, Ill.
To celebrate its grand opening, Extreme Clean Car Wash of Rockford offered visitors free carwashes, according to WREX.com.
Extreme Clean gave customers its $15 wash for free until March 2.
Cars affected by salt-covered roads took advantage of the offer over the weekend. The wash’s general manager, Mike Schultheis, estimated around 3,000 people drove through because of the deal.
The wash also offers a dog wash for $7. Vacuums are free to all customers.
“It's awesome that they opened Extreme Clean,” says customer Gilbert Espinoza in the article. “My van is now extremely clean.”
BOCA RATON, Fla.
Tint World’s Saint Petersburg location is under new ownership, according to a press release.
Brian Miller became the site’s new owner in February. He has more than 25 years of experience, which he gained when he owned a car audio business.
The facility has been upgraded and continues to offer aftermarket products and services in addition to marine, residential and commercial window and security film. Miller has updated displays and given the building a new storefront as well.
Miller plans to add new products to the business, including professional computer-cut window tinting, alarms and security, auto accessories, custom wheels and tires, detailing and reconditioning services.
Tint World was established in 1982 in Fort Lauderdale.
FORT MYERS, Fla.
Wawa Inc. opened three new stores in Southwest Florida on April 23, according to CSnews.com.
The openings are part of the company’s plan to grow its presence in the state. Grand openings were held for one store in Cape Coral and two in Fort Myers.
The event began at 10 a.m. at one location, and then it moved to another for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 12:30 p.m. The Cape Coral location closed out the festivities at 3 p.m.
Guests of a special VIP preview on April 22 were able to see the new sites before the public. They also met the company’s senior management team.
Wawa’s first Florida store opened in Orlando in July 2012. The company now has 59 stores in the state, with plans for six more by 2017.
HASTINGS, Minn.
Oil Line Automotive, a carwash, detail, oil change center and light mechanical auto shop, is expected to open in May, according to the Hastings Star Gazette.
Nate Oehrlein and Pete Hargis, the site’s owners, have experience in the construction business. They purchased the building in February after looking for a place for two years.
The owners wanted to remodel a site rather than tear a building down and start from scratch.
Included in the construction project is a new waiting room and second-floor employee lounge. A mix of modern and historical elements will be utilized to match other local buildings as well.
The owners are using as many local contractors as they can to support the community. The Nails business will also remain in a portion of the building, and the two businesses will share customers.
Hargis shares in the article the carwash will also get involved with the community.
