Jax Kar Wash is continuing to upgrade facilities in the coming month, following its purchase and takeover of Oasis Car Wash on Carleton Street in April.
“There are a lot of changes that are coming,” manager Bill Buehrle said.
Buehrle said the car wash will install new tire brushes and new car wash features, like ceramic coating and “dry and shine.”
“The dryer system will be completely different,” Buehrle said. “The dryers will be telescopic and come really close to the sides of the vehicle.”
Jax Kar Wash was founded by Jack Milen as National Car Wash in 1950 in Detroit, according to its website. The wash, which was located on the corner of 6 Mile and Meyers Roads, was open 24 hours a day and cost $1. The wash remains a family-owned business with Jack’s sons, Mike, Bruce, and Tony, and his grandson Jason running the business after him. The Jax Kar Wash Rewards Program gives customers the 11th wash free, and a free birthday wash.
Before 2022, Jax grew to nine car washes and detailing centers in the greater Detroit area.
But this year, a group of investors from an equity firm began expanding the company in February 2022, according to Floating Manager Dave Brady.
“They were looking to double our locations by the end of the year,” Brady said. “Instead, we have already tripled.”
This has included buying out and absorbing Oasis’ five locations, including its Hillsdale location, as well as Michigan-based Super Wash’s 11 locations and Jilly’s Car Wash’s five locations in Wisconsin.
“We are talking about moving into Ohio and Indiana and everywhere in between,” Brady said.
Buehrle, who worked for Oasis for more than 10 years, said he has enjoyed working for Jax even as he has had to adapt to some changes.
“I have nothing negative whatsoever,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier with how they have helped.”
Buehrle said all Oasis services will formally switch over to Jax plans by Oct. 21.
During this time of transition, Jax is offering a promotion during the month of October. All customers who select a monthly unlimited wash plan above $30 per month will get two months of free car washes, according to Brady.
“You won’t get charged until Jan. 5,” Buehrle said.
Customers can sign up for this deal online, over the phone, or by coming to the car wash, where Jax provides membership services advisers to stand by the pay machines and answer any questions, Buehrle said.
“Our company motto is ‘the customer is always right,’” Buehrle said. “We will re-wash the car and spend the extra time to make sure the customer is happy.”
