In this edition of Market Focus, we cover a Ride 2 Recovery donation and several carwash openings.

Mike’s Carwash raises 16.5K for Ride 2 Recovery

CINCINNATI/FT. WAYNE, Ind. — On Veterans Day, all 17 Mike’s Carwash locations gave away free Basic Washes to veterans and active military members, according to a company press release.

A total of 6,867 veterans’ vehicles were washed, the release continued, and $16,551.32 was collected in donations throughout the day.

The money raised will be donated to Ride 2 Recovery, a groundbreaking veterans program that saves lives by restoring hope and purpose, the release added.

The donation will support the organization’s Project Hero, which hosts rehabilitation programs that bring the benefits of Ride 2 Recovery to more veterans with one important goal, the release noted: More riders riding more often.

“I am thrilled by the outpouring of gratitude our customers had in recognition of our veterans. Through their generosity, we were able to donate $16,551, which will be used by Ride 2 Recovery to make a difference in the lives of veterans with the challenges they face adapting to life outside of service. Thank you to all who gave,” said Greg Ries, vice president of Mike’s Carwash.

For more information, visit www.mikescarwash.com.

Buckeye Express Car Wash opens hi-tech location

ONTARIO, Ohio — According to an article posted by the Mansfield News Journal, Buckeye Express Car Wash opened on Lexington-Springmill Road on Nov. 19th.

The carwash is fully automated, uses all biodegradable products and the most up-to-date technology for their spinning brushes, the article stated.

The wash features a 130-foot wash tunnel with neoprene cleaning brushes and a high-pressure rinse arch with rocker blasters, free vacuums with hoses on either side of the vehicle, and, the article continued, an unlimited wash program, starting at $17.99, that utilizes RFID technology to keep track of members.

The new carwash will employ five full-timers and four part-timers, the article noted and is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 to 5 p.m. Sundays. 

Rising Tide Car Wash builds second location

MARGATE, Fla. — According to an article posted by the Sun Sentinel, Rising Tide Car Wash, which employs adults with autism, broke ground on its second location at 2970 N. State Rd. in Margate, Florida.

This location, less than five miles south of the first location in Parkland, Florida, that opened in 2013, will be larger than the former and is expected to open this spring, the article stated.

Together, the two washes will employ 85 adults with autism, the article noted.

Owner John D’Eri’s son, Andrew, 26, was diagnosed with autism at age 3, according to the article.

“By opening this location,” D’Eri said, “we are not only giving more young adults with autism opportunities to realize their capabilities, gain confidence, make friends, gain financial independence and have a place to call their own, but we are also providing another top-notch car wash experience to South Floridians.”

Finish Line Car Wash celebrates grand opening of fifth location

MARION, Ill. — Finish Line Car Wash, a Paducah, Kentucky based company, has announced the grand opening of its 5th location in Marion, Illinois, according to a press release.

This new, high end express exterior carwash, open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., is located at 2706 Walton Way right next to Sonic Drive-In, the release continued.

The new location will be giving away a year’s worth of free car washes on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/flcarwash), the release stated, to celebrate its grand opening on Dec. 6th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The new location in Marion is evidence of Finish Line’s recent growth, the release noted, including new construction in the surrounding areas of Western Kentucky and Northern Tennessee; its fourth location opened just a few years prior in West Paducah, Kentucky.

Aside from its announcing the new location, the release continued, Finish Line Car Wash is also known for its ever-growing Unlimited Wash Club, where you can wash once per day, all month long starting as low as $12.99/month.

According to the release, other popular items include their:

• 20 Free-to-use Vacuums
• Free-to-use All Purpose Cleaner and Window Cleaner
• Free-to-use Towels
• Free-to-use Mat Cleaners.

Finish Line Car Wash also has a track record of sponsoring local events and athletic programs, as well as contributing to community groups’ fundraising efforts, the release stated, and they are regularly named the best carwash in the areas where they operate during the local newspapers’ annual competitions.

For more information, visit www.flcarwash.com.

Super Suds Car Wash expanding

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — According to an article posted by NP Telegraph, Super Suds Car Wash on Leota St. is expanding the business by constructing contemporary self-serve bays, which are expected to open by Jan. 1st, barring any weather delays.

“We’re putting in four self-serve bays and we’ll have a single bay on the west side that’s called an in-bay automatic touchless,” owner Gary Jones said. “The facility will be open 24/7.”

The wash is currently entirely automatic and open Monday through Saturday, the article stated.

According to Jones, the decision to expand into the self-serve market was due to modern technology. “We decided to open this due to the lack of availability in our community,” he said. “What we’re doing here will have credit card acceptors and will have a lot of features that none of the existing self-serve facilities have.”

Jones added, “The newest [self-serve car wash] we have in town was built in 1994.”

The self-serve bays will have dryers, credit card receptors and several options for cleaning chemicals, the article noted.

Mike’s Carwash celebrates opening of new location

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — According to newsandtribune.com, the new Mike’s Carwash location at 1655 Veteran’s Parkway is now open.

To celebrate its opening, the article continued, the carwash will host a Free Ultimate Wash Weekend from Dec. 9th to 11th, and all donations collected that weekend will go to Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Kentuckiana.

This location is the eighth in Indiana and makes for 18 total Mike’s Carwashes, the article stated.

The carwash is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.

Shammy Shine Car Wash approved for new location

PALMER TOWNSHIP, Pa. — According to an article on lehighvalleyllive.com, the Palmer Township supervisors approved the plans for the construction of a new Shammy Shine Car Wash on Kingston Rd. and Nightingale Drive.

The carwash will be fully automatic and open from 7 a.m to 7 p.m. every day, the article stated.

Shammy Shine currently operates 13 locations in the Lehigh Valley and western New Jersey areas, the article noted.