In this week’s Market Focus, we cover new openings, a charity donation and a carwash/laundromat combination construction.

Autobell Car Wash expands into new markets

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Autobell Car Wash Inc. has expanded into two new territories, according to a company press release, debuting in Maryland as well as adding a third market in South Carolina.

The new locations bring the family-owned and -operated chain’s total stores to 76 in five states, the release continued.

Autobell recently opened a full-service wash in the former location of West Street Car Wash at 1918 West Street in Annapolis, Maryland, the release stated.

“We’ve been interested in establishing Autobell in this area for quite some time,” said Autobell COO Carl Howard. “We believe it is ripe for continued expansion and ready for our brand of full-service carwash.”

Joseph Noel, a 13-year veteran of the company, is the store manager, the release noted.

“I’m honored to be entrusted with helping introduce Autobell to this market,” Noel said. “I’m very pleased with the area as both a business manager and resident, and the customers have been receptive to experiencing and embracing the service and convenience that Autobell offers.”

Chris Forton is also representing Autobell as an employee recruiter for the company’s new Maryland territory, the release continued, where he is establishing relationships with career counseling and placement personnel at area high schools and colleges.

Forton was an Autobell crew member in Greensboro, North Carolina, prior to graduating from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and assuming his new recruiting role, the release noted.

Autobell also opened at 8478 Dorchester Road in North Charleston, South Carolina, at the former Wonder Wash location, according to the release.

“We’ve been eager to expand our presence in South Carolina with the right opportunities,” said Howard, “so we moved quickly upon learning of this property’s availability.”

The Charleston location store manager, Dane Barker, is now in his 16th year with the company and added, “It’s exciting to help launch Autobell in yet another market. The demand for and satisfaction with our services here has been immediate and very encouraging.”

The new washes and all locations of Autobell are currently open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday during Daylight Savings Time.

Crew Carwash donates to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS — Crew Carwash announced that it is donating $19,131 and 1,686 pounds of canned food items to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, according to a company press release.

As part its second annual HUNGERCREW fundraiser, which took place on Oct. 1st and 2nd, the release continued, Crew Carwash provided a free FastWax service to customers who donated a canned food item or cash donation of any kind.

Crew accepted donations at all Indianapolis area locations and its Columbus location throughout the weekend, the release stated.

The initiative resulted in a total of $19,131 and 1,686 pounds of canned goods to be donated to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, a nonprofit organization focused on leading the fight against hunger in Central and Southeast Indiana by collecting, storing and distributing food to those in need, the release noted.

The donated canned goods translated to a wholesale dollar amount of more than $2,815, the release added, and the combined proceeds of the weekend will enable Gleaners to supply 65,842 meals for Hoosiers in need.

“We are so proud to once again partner with Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana,” said Billy Schaming, president and COO of Crew Carwash. “Thanks to the hard work of our team members and generous donations of our customers, we are thrilled to make this donation and help our fellow Hoosiers who are in need of food assistance.”

To learn more about Crew Carwash, visit www.crewcarwash.com.

Consumers can connect with Crew on social media at Facebook.com/Crew-Carwash, @Crew_Carwash on Twitter, and @CrewCarwashInc on Instagram (#HUNGERCREW).

To learn more about Gleaners Food Bank, visit www.gleaners.org or connect at Facebook.com/GleanersFoodBankofIndiana and @GleanersFBIndy on Twitter and Instagram.

New carwash/laundromat combo to open early next year

WAWAYANDA, N.Y. — Glen Sheeley and his father, Wayne, began construction on a new carwash and laundromat combination in August to open early next year at Route 17M and Dolsontown Road, according to an article by the Times Herald-Record.

The Sheeley name has been associated with carwashes and laundromats in Orange County since Wayne Sheeley opened the first location in Walden in 1969, the article noted, and later, three more operations, two of which were carwash-only.

For Wayne Sheeley, carwashes and laundromats just logically fit together, the article stated.

“We were the first ones to do that,” he said. “It just seemed like the right thing to do: dirty cars, dirty clothes.”

The Sheeleys sold the other four locations to separate buyers in order to reduce their driving time, the article added.

“We were pretty busy running around to the four places, my father and I,” Glen Sheeley said at the construction site on Monday. “We have pride in keeping the places clean, and so we’d hit them four times a day. It racks up a lot of miles on you and the car.”

The carwash at the new location will be 160 feet long and 25 feet wide, the article noted, while the 3,750-square-foot laundromat will feature 45 washers, 50 dryers, central air-conditioning and big-screen TVs.

In addition, the article continued, laundromat customers will be able to download an app that lets them check washer/dryer availability and add drying time without adding extra coins; they can also earn points towards reduced-price carwashes.

“I had a dream that we’d be able to build one big, monster place, and here we are,” Glen Sheeley said.

Read the full article here.