Ground breaking - December 2012 - Professional Carwashing & Detailing

Ground breaking – December 2012

VACAVILLE, CA

The 7 Flags Car Wash chain held a grand opening for its newest express exterior location here in October. The new facility will give customers a wide choice of pricing from an electronic pay point. The wash also offers free self-serve vacuums, mat cleaning machines and paint protecting waxes.

The chain is excited to open its first ever full-time express exterior wash facility, and area residents will find the most unique carwash experience anywhere in Northern California, according to 7 Flags President and CEO Jack Anthony.

For more than four decades, 7 Flags Car Wash has been family owned and operated. Each year the company gives back to the community through free washes on Veteran’s Day and by sponsoring Toys for Tots.

In addition to the new location, the company has existing facilities in Vacaville, Fairfield and Vallejo.

GALVESTON, TX

Owner Archie Hart opened the doors of Island Auto Wash for business here in mid October. The wash opened a bit early with Hart hoping to smooth out some kinks and hoping customers would be forgiving of any minor opening-day issues.

The location operated formerly under the name The Ritz Car Wash, but it closed in early 2012. When Hart took over operation of the wash, he modernized the equipment. Island Auto Wash will offer services ranging from a basic carwash to full detailing.

NORFOLK, VA

Autobell Car Wash Inc.announced the opening of a new location here at JANAF Shopping Yard with Brandon Long acting as store manager. This opening marks the family-owned chain’s first location in Norfolk, but it is the eighth Autobell in the Hampton Roads area. The company now has 65 locations in four states.

The wash features an Aqua Bio 100% reclaim water treatment system that uses enzymes to break down oil, dirt and other pollutants to produce clean water for reuse. Autobell began using this technology in new stores in 2007, and Autobell locations treat 100 percent of the wash water used.

ANKENY, IA

A massive farm retail store that includes a four-bay automatic carwash will soon begin construction here. The 261,000-square-foot retail store will be located on a 37.42-acre site off of Interstate 35. In addition to the farm store and carwash, the business will also include warehouse space, a c-store and a fuel station.

The project was aided by the city council’s policy that encourages new business and investment as the economy stabilizes. Construction is expected to take a year to complete.

DAYTON, TN

A new Waterworks Carwash that began construction last spring is scheduled to open up sometime in December. The wash, that required a $1 million investment, will offer two kinds of services. The basic 3-minute tunnel wash will cost $5, and the detailing and hot wax service will be $12. Included is free use of self-service vacuums.

The new wash will include features like a spacious waiting room where customers can watch their cars being detailed as well as a vending machine area. The wash will employ 10 part-time workers.

What will put this wash ahead of its competition are state-of-the-art water reclaim systems that are able to recycle almost all of the water used in day-to-day operations.

CLAYTON, OH

Plans called for two new c-store locations with gasoline to open here. Both new businesses will employ eight to 10 people, and each required a $1 million investment.

The design for the c-store in nearby Washington Township called for a 3,500-square-foot building that will feature gas pumps and a carwash. A representative of operator Truenorth said the Washington Township multi-profit business will open around the first of the year, and the location is a high-traffic area for the company.

WARRINGTON, PA

Pete’s Express Car Wash received final approval to begin building a state-of-the-art location here. The 5,200-square-foot, family-owned carwash will sit on two acres next to a busy highway. Currently, the operators run carwashes in nearby East Norriton, West Chester and Radnor.

The business will be a tunnel wash with several stations for vacuuming, and much of the water will be recycled and reused. In the past, the carwash company has won landscaping awards, and the current deed is structured so an acre of wooded area behind the carwash will not be disturbed.

PUEBLO, CO

A new commercial building here will house a Patriot Express Car Wash as well as three other businesses. Construction began in the fall, and owners are hoping the center will open by February.

In addition to the carwash, the completed location will include a Subway restaurant, a yogurt shop, a beauty salon and executive offices. A large outdoor patio and free Wi-Fi also are planned.

The public groundbreaking for the building was held in October, and the location will feature colonial-style architecture and a replica bell tower in keeping with the patriot theme.

WILLMAR, MN

Earth work is underway on a combination auto dealership and carwash here. The site will be the new location for Mills Auto Center Buick, Toyota and Scion. Besides two dealerships in Willmar, Mills also operates three in nearby Brainerd.

Initial estimates show the dealership will cost more than $5 million to build, and city officials anticipate that the construction will begin in the spring after a building permit has been issued. A building permit is not required here for utility work.

MARIETTA, GA

Construction began in early October on a Wash Barn carwash in a foreclosed building that had been abandoned for some time. New Owner Robbie Stewart hoped the project would take two months to finish. Stewart planned on spending a lot of time and money on landscaping.

Stewart explained that, by polishing up the property nicely, he hoped to attract customers and start a positive chain reaction in other nearby businesses to spruce up their properties.

The Wash Barn was the first in a redevelopment program started by the town to provide tax incentives to business owners who purchase foreclosed properties on Canton Road and develop them.

LAS VEGAS

Dallas-based Park Place Dealerships purchased an Infiniti dealership here and added a carwash. The dealership was purchased in June for an undisclosed price. Since that time, the company has made a significant investment in the facility that includes the new $150,000 carwash.

Other updates made to the dealership include new furniture, a flat-screen TV, complimentary beverages and Internet access. The investment was needed to give the facility the look and feel of an Infiniti dealership.

The dealership wanted to provide its clients with the best luxury experience, and part of that is having nice facilities. Over the next year or so, major renovations are planned for both buildings, according to Stephen James, general manager of Park Place Infiniti.

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