Car Wash - West Calgary

[ck1]

Car washes are a big deal in Calgary due to the crazy climate we have. I live near the Westhills area (SW) and really think there is a lack of self wash (wand wash) car washes. I know there is one across from COP and then another on Richmond Rd. Other than that, there are a few automatic washes here and there.

Just wondering if there is a demand, like I think there is, for a wand wash to be built between hwy 1 and hwy 8, west of Sarcee Trail?

I'm thinking of building one, just curious to what peoples feedback is. Thinking about including 2 dog washes, 8 self serve car bays, 1 rv bay, possibly 1 automatic wash, and 2 detailing bays. This would be a high end location with hot soft water with all the bells and whistles.

[Table 5]

Considering how stupidly busy the Western Pride car-wash gets in that part of town on any given weekend, I think there is ample demand for another one.

With the constant slush and dust in this town, Calgary seems like a perfect place for a car-wash business. The constant change in weather must be a car-wash owners dream.

[geos]

Build one north-central while your at it! There is nothing between Harvest Hills and the new wash up by the jail.

[AMG_G]

I live in the Westsprings area. I drive down to mile wide or western pride to wash my car and it is such a waste of time to go that far for a car wash. I would definately love to see one closer.

[Northendzone]

i love having a clean vehicle; however, i live in the SE so it would be unlikely that i would visit your car wash - but it seems like everyone in town is busy.

if i was ever going to start a business, it would be a car wash. nowadays, it seems you can run them with very little staff members.

[Table 5]

Plus it's a great way to launder meth money.

[REDVAN]

Yeah, I've often considered opening a car wash.

Would gladly invest in this kind of business depending on location.

And you are right, the west side is pretty crazy for car washes.

[rohara66]

After speaking with a land developer friend he explained they're expensive to develop and build.... which is why you don't see many of them.

I would assume the payback is brutal.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by rohara66

After speaking with a land developer friend he explained they're expensive to develop and build.... which is why you don't see many of them.

I would assume the payback is brutal.

This is the type of investment you'd be looking at:

<removed>

Probably more if you want inside the city on the west end, where land is expensive and NIMBYism is rampant.

[ricosuave]

whoa whoa whoa whoa

talkin' 'bout the car wash, yeah

[Ducay]

There's one on 17th Ave & 33rd SW and then the one on Richmond Rd & 37th; one down in Montgomery on 16th Ave NW and then the one by COP. Could use one up on the hill, but as mentioned, NIMBY plays a factor.

[dubc80]

I'd be one of your customers on a weekly basis.

The Western Pride one on Richmond Road is usually packed during the day as mentioned.

Its open mega late (a few bays may even be 24 hr) so now I really only pop in there late at night on the way to/from 11pm mens league ice times.

[browna]

There is one behind the Turbo used to be by Mount Royal U, somewhat in behind the 7-11/PetroCan.

Chinese couple that runs it and directs traffic and tries to push you out if there is a line. Went once, not back since.

Apparently they are a U-Haul rental too, and on the U-Haul site one time when thinking of getting a truck for a day, read some reviews that the trucks were dirty inside and out, and they were more interested in pushing UHaul customers to the Chinese restaurant they apparently also run somewhere, then renting out trucks.

If you stay out of peak times, like early AM or after 9pm in the winter, Western Pride at Richmond and 37th St is ok.

And a tip for winter washing...get the salt off, get the dirt off, and get out. You're wasting your money, and more importantly my time, by using all 5 stages of washing in Mid Feb when its going to get just as filthy in a week or less.

Plus, anyone using the "brush" deserves everything they get, especially in winter when they're trying to wash off their newly leased Mazda 3 with that brush,worried that its going to rust out on them in winter #1.
I've seen guys clean the back of their truck bed out with that as a broom, one can only imagine the glass or metal or other crap that gets in the bristles and stays there as it later gets raked across the side of said Mazda 3 from someone hoping for that "deep clean and sparkling shine".

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

This is the type of investment you'd be looking at:

<removed>

Probably more if you want inside the city on the west end, where land is expensive and NIMBYism is rampant.

I love how this ad says do not approach staff.....

[ck1]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

This is the type of investment you'd be looking at:

<removed>

Probably more if you want inside the city on the west end, where land is expensive and NIMBYism is rampant.

And that price is just for the business, leased land, leased building. You own the equipment. Its def not a cheap venture to own and build one.

[RogerWilco]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Plus it's a great way to launder meth money.

No, laser tag is the best option for that.

[4X4]

To the OP: If you open a car wash, please please please put a goddamn timer in there that your customers can see. If, however, you think that that would reduce your profit, then at least don't be one of those places that doesn't tell you how much time you have left, then jacks you for a toonie to restart the machine. That's just low.

Originally Posted by browna

And a tip for winter washing...get the salt off, get the dirt off, and get out. You're wasting your money, and more importantly my time, by using all 5 stages of washing in Mid Feb when its going to get just as filthy in a week or less.

Plus, anyone using the "brush" deserves everything they get, especially in winter when they're trying to wash off their newly leased Mazda 3 with that brush,worried that its going to rust out on them in winter #1.
I've seen guys clean the back of their truck bed out with that as a broom, one can only imagine the glass or metal or other crap that gets in the bristles and stays there as it later gets raked across the side of said Mazda 3 from someone hoping for that "deep clean and sparkling shine".

My tip for winter washing is the same for summer washing. Go around your car twice with the high pressure soap, then switch directly to high pressure wax, then take the long way home to get it decently dried. It should probably cost you $5-8 depending on how dirty and how big your car is.

[vtec260]

It's actually Korean family who owns this place(husband's). U-haul is gone now and, yes, I have been asked to try their family restaurant (wife's) on Macleod (not too bad, by the way). I usually go here to wash around mid-morning or late night and it's pretty quiet. I think I get better cleaning while drying with chamois than actual wand wash itself (in all wand washes, not just this one). Never use the brush and I use that to clean the tires and winter rims.

I would support OP's carwash as another option in western Calgary.

Originally Posted by browna

There is one behind the Turbo used to be by Mount Royal U, somewhat in behind the 7-11/PetroCan.

Chinese couple that runs it and directs traffic and tries to push you out if there is a line. Went once, not back since.

[FireInTheHole]

Originally Posted by ck1

Car washes are a big deal in Calgary due to the crazy climate we have. I live near the Westhills area (SW) and really think there is a lack of self wash (wand wash) car washes. I know there is one across from COP and then another on Richmond Rd. Other than that, there are a few automatic washes here and there.

Just wondering if there is a demand, like I think there is, for a wand wash to be built between hwy 1 and hwy 8, west of Sarcee Trail?

I'm thinking of building one, just curious to what peoples feedback is. Thinking about including 2 dog washes, 8 self serve car bays, 1 rv bay, possibly 1 automatic wash, and 2 detailing bays. This would be a high end location with hot soft water with all the bells and whistles.

Yes please! I'm curious where exactly you are thinking to put one...

[FireInTheHole]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

This is the type of investment you'd be looking at:

<removed>

Probably more if you want inside the city on the west end, where land is expensive and NIMBYism is rampant.

Beware - when I clicked on that link Kaspersky blocked it saying there is a trojan on that URL.