BOISE, Idaho
A new Rocket Express carwash set to open in December will tie as the longest in the world at 240 feet, according to IdahoStatesman.com.
As stated by the article, “At 240 feet long, the carwash will match the length of the Rocket Express that co-owners Joe and Janet Russell also run in Twin Falls.” Additionally, the couple owns another Rocket Express in Midvale, Utah, which opened in 2013.
The Twin Falls sister location was built in 2010 and currently holds the world’s record for length.
“We have just recently submitted an application with the Guinness World Records organization to document that the conveyor, at 240 feet in length, is in fact the world’s longest,” said co-owner Joe Russell of Twin Falls. “I have also confirmed this past week, with Matt DeWolf, marketing director of the International Carwash Association that he/they are not [aware] of another conveyor in the world that measures 240 feet.”
The new Boise wash will include: $250,000 in solar panels, an advanced reclaim system, dedicated express lanes for members and 36 free vacuums.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.
This fall a new carwashing service run by University of North Carolina (UNC) students is coming to University Place, according to dailytarheel.com.
Waterless Buddy’s uses a waterless product containing a wash-wax sealant formula, which enables the business’ employees, or “Buddies,” to remove grime with a microfiber towel.
The business aims to combine environmentally friendly practices and innovation, and hopes it will create jobs for UNC students.
“Waterless Buddy’s is the future of carwashing,” said Austin Helms, founder of Waterless Buddy’s and a student at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. “As water becomes more and more scarce, our business, and other businesses that depend on water, will have to change and adapt. Luckily, we have a head start.”
Customers can find Waterless Buddy’s employees in University Place’s parking lot, and the customers simply tell the employees where they are parked and then the Buddies detail the cars.
“Our current model has us only giving exterior details, but we hope to move into a full detail in the future,” stated Helms. “We also have bigger ideas that involve technology that will allow customers to get their cars washed anywhere at any time by anybody. You could say an ‘Uber meets carwashing.’”
LANETT, Ala.
An indoor, self-serve pet wash is now open at the $5 Express Car Wash in Lanett, according to The Valley Times-News.
Flea Flickers offers customers a quick, easy way to groom their pets in style, offering oat shampoo, tearless shampoo and conditioner, as well as flea and tick treatment and pet deodorizer. A “Barking lot” is also available outside of the pet wash for the pet owners’ convenience.
“You can rinse, wash and condition your pet, vacuum excess water and then blow dry them,” said David Monk, owner of Flea Flickers. “We can take [dogs of all sizes], and it takes only about 10 minutes to do it in an indoor location that’s climate controlled all year round. It’s heated in the winter time and cooled in summer.”
On the wall inside the booth, 10-step operating instructions are posted, helping to direct customers through the wash process from the rinse, shampoo and conditioner steps to the additional option of applying the pet deodorizer and/or flea and tick treatment, as well as an extra rinse to remove soap residue, followed by vacuuming to remove excess water and drying.
“This is a really cool concept,” stated Monk in the article. “I go to carwash shows every year. I first saw this idea being introduced around three years ago. They then had all the interior furnishings, but you had to build a structure around it yourself. When I went back this year, they had one that was entirely self-contained. I saw it and knew I had to have one.”
EASTON, Pa.
Sparkle Car Wash plans to expand into Lower Nazareth Township with its second location on the site of a former Sonic Drive-in, according to lehighvalleylive.com.
Kevin Detrick, owner of Sparkle Car Wash, said he wants to expand from his original Stroudsburg location to the new site because the neighboring Wal-Mart and Wegmans are “big anchors drawing from all over Northampton County.”
“We thought with all that traffic that people would want to get their cars washed,” explained Detrick. He plans to use this second location to showcase the business’ new carwashing technology, which speeds up the drive-thru process.
As a vehicle comes through the wash a picture is taken, and Sparkle Car Wash uses this image to shape the washers around each vehicle to achieve a “cleaner, shiner car.”
LEWES, Del.
A new flex-serve carwash, combining detailing options with express exterior cleans and full-service washing, is coming to Lewes, according to CapeGazette.com.
Mike Anthenelli said in the article that Waves Car Wash “will be unlike any other in the Cape Region,” featuring a variety of detailing and cleaning options.
He reported that customers will be able to remain in their vehicles for a quick wash or wait outside while staff cleans their cars.
He is planning a grand opening projected for later this year or early in 2016. His wife, Danni, will join Anthenelli in the venture.
“We’re looking forward to doing a lot of partnerships — fundraisers, things like that,” he stated. “This will be a family-owned, family-operated business catered to the locals. We want to give back as much as possible.”
SIDNEY, Ohio
The Wax Wagon America LLC mobile car-detailing business currently is working to expand its services nationally, according to SidneyDailyNews.com.
The owners — Michael Keckley, Andrea and Scott Borchers and Damian Cox — currently are looking for partners in new areas nationwide, who will receive a trailer with the company logo as well as all equipment, training and access to the company’s online marketing for a $25,000 to $30,000 fee.
Wax Wagon works in four-person crews who handle 10 to 12 vehicles per day for auto detailing jobs that begin at $95, which makes up about 90 percent of business.
The company performs a wide variety of detailing services, including tar removal, rust removal and paint restoration on everything from private cars to corporate fleets, semi-trucks, boats and tractors.
