WAINSCOTT, NY

A vacant night club that closed five years ago could become a full-service carwash if plans are approved by the East Hampton Town Planning Board. If approved, it will be Wainscott’s only full-service carwash.

Businessmen Jeffrey Schneider and Tom Barton want to tear down the existing barn and build a cutting edge 5,400-square-foot wash equipped with four detailing bays. When completed, the location will be the most automated carwash on the island, according to Daniel Bell of Ziposhine. Bell is a carwash sales equipment representative who Schneider and Barton hired as a consultant.

Bell said that the new carwash could see as many as 150 cars in a single day. He estimated 90 percent of the work will be done by machine and 12 employees will be on-site. The employees will vacuum the car and clean the inside windows, making the new wash very efficient with labor.

The town planning board met the application with open arms, though some voiced concern about machine noise and water pollution. The proposal is still in its preliminary stages, although a positive response is expected from the town board. Once it has been approved, the plans will be sent to the State Department of Transportation and the Suffolk County Department of Health.

CHARLOTTE, NC

Autobell Carwash Inc.opened a new full-service wash — the company’s 64th location — in the SouthPark neighborhood here. The Charlotte-based chain now has carwashes in four states, and this is the 32nd Autobell location in the Charlotte metro region.

The new SouthPark wash features a living or “green” roof comprised of a low-growing, succulent plant mix to capture storm water as well as provide an aesthetic view from an adjacent residential development.

The business also features an Aqua Bio 100% reclaim water treatment system. Enzymes in the system break down and consume oil, dirt and other pollutants and produce clear water for reuse. Autobell began installing this technology in new stores in 2007, and these locations are able to recycle 80 to 100 percent of wash water.

GRASS VALLEY, CA

Co-owners Geoff Garrett, Ken Meyers and Larry Green reopened a 30-year-old carwash here with a new goal in mind: Serving the community. Garrett said the whole property has been cleaned up and beautified, and the renovation created a brighter, more open feeling in the tunnel.

The new owners intend to make their new carwash feel comfortable to customers. Since a large percentage of the wash’s customers are senior citizens, the owners wanted them to feel safe at the wash.

The owners hired a wholesome, clean-cut staff, most of which are local high school and college students. And they also worked to create a family-friendly atmosphere.

Suds Brothersoffers a far superior service than other carwashes in the area because cars are 100 percent hand washed, and the business offers a variety of detailing and waxing services as well as express washes.

Garrett said that offering the best service possible is key because it creates repeat customers. He also wants the wash to be further involved in the community by hosting local fundraisers and events. 

MARICOPA, AZ

A new Fast and Friendly Car Wash location here may be ready to open by March of 2013. The carwash will be owned and operated by 3D Development and Holdings LLC, a private, family-owned business. The company already has carwashes in nearby Surprise and Peoria. CEO Jeff Dadam said Maricopa was chosen because the town needed an automatic carwash.

Dadam, his father and two brothers started the business in 2004. Dadam’s first job was in a carwash, and the car care industry became a more attractive investment when automated washing technology improved. Carwashing has proven to be a fulfilling business venture for the family.

FAIRFIELD, CA

Despite the economic downturn, the recent surge in economic confidence has pulled some retailers out of hibernation. The city here just closed escrow on a 1.48 acre lot that will be the home of a new Chevron location equipped with its own c-store and carwash.

Contractors have begun the process of moving the earth to start laying the foundations for the new Chevron buildings. The project is expected to be completed next spring.

Some companies have started buying up older gas stations and land on Interstate 80 and transforming them into brand new facilities. I-80 runs from northern California across the country to New York. With the sale of these parcels, the city hopes to encourage development of job and tax-revenue producing commercial and industrial projects.

DACULA, GA

Mayor Jimmy Wilbanks let website readers know about a new carwash opening here during a question and answer article. The writer of the September story asked the mayor what was new in Dacula, and Wilbanks mentioned the new Xpress Car Wash added to a Quick Shop Exxon.

The Exxon station, located at the corner of Fence and Dacula Roads, premiered the new carwash on Sept. 19 at 8:30 a.m. The wash was a replacement and upgrade of the older carwash that has been out of service for several months.

ESCONDIDO, CA

The North County Mall here added a new service for its customers: A Sparkle Wash location on Level 1 of the parking lot. Wash packages start with a standard wash at $12.99 and go all the way up to a complete detail with wax and buffing for $220. No reservations are required for the services. Sparkle Wash is part of the mall’s effort to open new retail stores including Hallmark Gold Crown and Target.

ELLESMERE PORT, ENGLAND

An applicant here approached planning officers and the Chester Council hoping to get retrospective approval for a carwash and valeting business. The businesses would use side access; the wash would operate in the bays at the rear of the building, and would operate seven days a week. The tentative hours were submitted for approval.

No objections to the business were raised by the highway authority, and the environmental protection officers had no comments when the application was advertised. Also, planners believe the business would have no detrimental effect on nearby properties.

After the business’s hours were found to be acceptable, the application was recommended for approval and the borough council agreed that retrospective permission could be granted.

DALLAS

A new Tommy Terrific’s Carwash held a ribbon cutting here in early September, and it offered “The Quickie” wash for $1 in celebration.

The express exterior location has a 145-foot tunnel, and it completes washes in about three minutes. Customers can have the vehicle hand dried or skip the drying for “The Quickie” wash. Vacuum use is complimentary with a wash.

This new location is the second for the Tommy Terrific’s brand. The first wash opened in 2008 and both washes use water recycling units and environmentally friendly soaps and chemicals.

Owner Tom Miller said the new wash is located on Ross Avenue, a main artery street that connects several established and growing neighborhoods in Dallas. Tom Miller, owner of Tommy Terrific’s Carwash, said in the release.

In addition to the two Tommy Teriffic’s locations, Miller owns a full-service Trademark Car Wash located in Allen, TX. Miller has more than 25 years experience in the carwash industry.

HANOVER, PA

It took about six years, but Soapy Joe’s Car Wash is now open for business.Richard Krill III, who owns the carwash with his business partners at Poplar Holdings LLC, said it is the first carwash in the country to use state-of-the-art technology which can measure outside temperatures and the weather and then adjust the carwash chemistry as needed.

The two-bay in-bay automatic washes give customers a choice between a touch-free or soft touch carwash. The carwash was built on the site of an abandoned gas station, and old contaminated underground gas tanks had to be removed.

The carwash is open to working with local organizations to host fundraisers and is also on Facebook. The business has started a text club in which texts are sent out to members letting them know about special deals.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ

The newest Clean Freak Car Wash location celebrated its grand opening by giving away free washes from Aug. 25 through Sept. 5. The two weeks of free washes were only available at the Scottsdale location. Another Clean Freak opened in July in Glendale, AZ, and it also gave out free washes for two weeks.

ALLISTON, ONTARIO, CANADA

A vacant lot is the subject of a rezoning application here that looks to reduce required building setbacks to accommodate a carwash, gas station and small c-store. The setback adjustments are necessary to make the pieces of the business fit.

The empty lot was purchased in March of 2010 for $680,000. Other planning areas that must be addressed during the approval process include environmental and site plan. The property must be tested for soil contamination, and the site plan should include traffic and landscaping.

A car dealership was the last business to operate at the location, but it ceased operation three years ago as part of GM’s dealership network restructuring.

LAFAYETTE, IN

Dave Mote added another carwash to his empire when he purchased the Rainforest Car Wash and gave it a $150,000 makeover, a new name and new way of cleaning cars. The new Pop-N-Wash is unique because of how it provides its services. Customers drive up and pay $5, $8 or $10 depending on the type of wash.

Washes include unlimited use of vacuums, fragrances, self-service bays and carpet cleaners. The package also includes an express wash at the end. The more expensive wash options include hub-blasters and wheel polishing. The wash partners with Armor All Professional car care solutions and uses their products.