TUCSON, AZ
Mister Car Washnow has 103 locations thanks to the acquisition of the Cloister Wash & Lube chain, a press release reported.
The Dec. 5 press release stated that the Cloister chain, which includes three lube shops, is based out of eastern Pennsylvania. The business transaction was made final on Dec. 4.
Mister Car Wash CEO Ron Peterson stated in the press release, “This has been our most prolific year on record. Cloister Wash and Lube is one of the pre-eminent carwash companies in the world and Mike Mountz, founder and CEO of Cloister, is widely recognized as one of the most innovative operators in our industry. We’re excited about entering the Pennsylvania market and look forward to helping them build upon their amazing legacy."
Mike Mountz also stated in the press release that deciding to sell his chain was one of the most difficult decisions in his life. "I put my heart and soul into building what I consider to be one of the most unique carwash experiences in the industry. Mister Car Wash is one of the few companies that I’d ever consider selling to because they know the importance of taking care of our customers and our employees.”
Mountz is also known in the carwash industry as the founder of the Grace for Vets program, which offers up free carwashes to veterans on Veterans Day.
BLUE BELL, PA
The Waterworks Express carwash opened here in December and donated all of its grand opening proceeds made on Dec. 22 in memory of fallen Police Officer Brad Fox.
Customers were allowed to pay "whatever they wanted" for a carwash.
The money went directly to the Officer Brad Fox Children's Fund.
BOWIE, MD
Premere Auto Detailis now operating in the Washington D.C. area, according to a press release.
The Dec. 19 release stated that the service had stopped operating in the D.C. area and moved to West Virginia. But, after receiving inquiries from patrons in Washington D.C., the service decided to work in the metropolitan area again.
Premere works to make their clients’ cars look, smell and feel brand new, the release stated. The operation concentrates on exceptional customer service, and customers can schedule services by visiting the business’ website.
Premere has been serving clients for over seven years, and the operation specializes in mobile auto detailing.
ADRIAN, MI
After 18 years in the detail industry, Doug Southwell decided to open his own business.
Southwell learned the ropes while working for a car dealership as well as Shine’s Auto Clean. He also learned from his father, a tire shop owner. He opened Doug’s Detailing in the same location as Autos Unlimited in early September and operates the business with his wife who serves as president.
The shop offers a complete range of exterior and interior services including various packages. Until the end of January, the business offered a special package that included buffing, waxing, sweeping out and window cleaning for $50.
Southwell said they can do anything from a simple waxing to complete detailing and most vehicles can be completed the same day.
WESTON, FL
Tint World here announced the opening of its newest styling center, Tint World Albany in New York, according to a press release.
The Dec. 5 story stated that this location will be the first Tint World store in New York. Though the location opened in November, Owner and Operator Rick Martin will celebrate an official grand opening in spring 2013.
Martin completed Tint World’s comprehensive training that included product knowledge, business development and customer service. The chain’s philosophy of superior customer service is what drew Martin into franchising.
“The team here at Tint World Albany is looking to build long-term relationships with our customers,” Martin said in the release. “We want them to feel good about what they purchase and trust us to do the job right.”
BEND, OR
Empire Car Washhere recently added 29 beer taps. The growler fill station is the carwash’s attempt to get in on the popularity of beer growlers in the area. Bars, restaurants and c-stores have all started filling growlers or plan to in the near future.
One distributor noted that the Growler Guys are at the forefront of c-stores offering growlers.
HOUSTON
A valet service was launched at Hobby Airport here this week, and the amenities include a bottle of water, a newspaper and carwash options.
The current introductory rate was $20 a day, but it increased to $25 a day in early January. The carwash and detailing packages run from $30 for a sedan hand wash to $190 for a full-service SUV detail.
According to the airport system, several dozen fliers had already used the service since its soft launch last week. Approximately 500 fliers a week used the valet service at Bush Intercontinental airport in Houston since its introduction in June.
Valet check-in can be found in each terminal parking garage, and no reservations are required.
AUSTIN, MN
An electrical fire that occurred in early 2012 had shut down City Car Wash, which includes a detail shop and used car business, but it's now open again for business.
Owner Jeff Carney had a "soft" opening on Nov. 23 so that the carwash wasn't overwhelmed while they were trying to work out some kinks.
The fire, which happened in March, may have been caused by too much electrical load and Carney said they had to re-wire the entire building.
PURCELLVILLE, VA
Residents can now receive a high-quality carwash in eight minutes or less at Station Auto Wash Exterior Express, according to a press release.
The release stated that this exterior express location is an extension of the full-service Station Auto Wash in Leesburg, VA. According to Tom Magazzine and Ryan Magazzine, owners of the family business, the concept in building the new location was to establish a “hub” and “spoke” for Station Auto Wash customers.
The goal was to get customers in and out quickly for frequent exterior cleaning between full-service cleanings. The new exterior express consists of a double, 65-foot wash tunnel featuring an exclusive high purity foam cleaning process that produces better results than hand-washing as cars go through a flat top conveyor belt system.
The original Station Auto Wash location in Leesburg has over 2.5 acres and 14,000 square feet in two buildings to handle both interior and exterior cleaning plus detailing efficiently.
WETASKIWIN, ALBERTA, CANADA
Automile Car Wash & Detailing has added on a U-Haul truck and trailer rental center.
Also available to rent are moving supplies, moving vans, trailers, furniture pads, appliance and furniture dollies, tow dollies and auto transports.
"U-Haul is proud to be partnering with a quality independent business such as Automile Car Wash & Detailing," said Gordon Anderson , president, U-Haul Company of Alberta, in a statement to the press. "Automile Car Wash & Detailing is a great example of the type of successful business relationship U-Haul has established in order to build and maintain a strong network of more than 15,000 independent dealers across North America."
HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, MI
A Tim Hortons Café and Bake Shop opened at the Quality Car Wash gas and convenience store here on Jan. 5.
The carwash’s General Manager Mardi Brower said they now have all of the bases covered for its customers, from gas and carwashes to coffee and donuts.
The carwash said it was looking for a new way to attract customers. When it announced that a Horton’s would be added on, Brower said people were happy they wouldn’t have to drive out of the way to its Grand Haven location.
Horton’s is known for its fresh coffee, which is made every 20 minutes. It will employ about 16 full and part-time employees.
