Car wash is the new laundromat

TOOWOOMBA’S car washes are set to replace laundromats as the new money-making machines, according to a commercial agent.

LJ Hooker Commercial’s Mike Stewart is the agent behind the sale of the Baywash site in Kearneys Spring, which was placed on the market this week for expressions of interest.

This is the fourth car wash LJ Hooker has placed for sale in the past two years, and Mr Stewart said there was a reason the businesses were successful ventures.

“We’ve just sold the one on Tor and Hursley St, and about a year and half ago we sold the one in James St,” he said.

“There’s a lot of interest in car washes, because there’s still continued pressure on household water so you can go through 600 litres washing the car at home.

“Technology is allowing them to be more efficient to run as well.

“There’s a significant amount of cash, there are no creditors or debtors and they run for 24 hours a day.”

Mr Stewart, who is a veteran of the commercial real estate sector, said laundromats used to be the big money spinners during a time when household washing machines were too expensive for many people.

“They’re the modern laundromat. Laundromats came into vogue because washing machines were so expensive, but the popularity of laundromats has somewhat decreased over time,” he said.

The current freehold listing on Ruthven St comes with seven wash bays (five of which self-serve and two automatic bays), three vacuum areas, 11 rainwater tanks for storage and three fragrance machines.

The business is also directly surrounded by several fast food outlets and other businesses, making it a high traffic area.

The expressions of interest period ends on February 5, so call Mr Stewart on 0418 717 361.