Car Wash working its way to Cleveland Street

A new car wash managed by Ohio Carwash Holdings LLC and overseen by National Pride Equipment of Ashland could open in Elyria at a former Lorain National Bank building, 801 Cleveland St.

Trent Walter, owner of National Pride Equipment, said his business is the parent company which supplies equipment to Ohio Carwash Holdings facilities.

As of Dec. 10, Walter said Elyria City Council’s Community Development Committee voted to rezone the property for the new automobile service.

“As of right now, we’re in the rezoning process to make the facility a general business and wait for our conditional use permit,” he said. “Once we go through our three readings through Council, which should be completed around January, we’re hoping to break ground in spring and open in summer.”

Walter said this express model car wash would be one of nine located in northern Ohio.

Others are located in Ashland, Norwalk, Marion and Ontario with over 100 employees, he said.

Walter said this model of a car wash will create an opportunity for at least a dozen staff members to work with customers quicker.

Customers can be out in three minutes or less.

The facility will include 14 free vacuum stations, two bays, free air fresheners for customers and free towels for touching up.

The express model wash is a convenient opportunity from experience to the price for customers, Walter said.

Starting at $6, customers can get a basic wash.

Prices will vary and increase at different levels.

Walter said the Fast Pass Club, is like a membership where customers are charged a set fee each month and can wash their cars as much as they want. The Fast Pass begins at $18.

“You’re really getting your value with that if you’re consistently paying for a car wash every so often,” he said. “It’s good to keep your car clean. We have many club members within our other facilities.”

Walter also said the company is very big in developing staff for the future.

The starting pay for employees is $12 an hour and managers can make up to $20 an hour, he said.