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Anyone know WHY there's no car wash on STX?

(@SunnyCyn)
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I've come across multiple comments commenting about salt buildup on vehicles (no surprise to me as a FL native), and I'm wondering if anyone here knows the background or valid reasons why there's no carwash on STX?

Is it because of water scarcity?

Are there some local restrictions/regulations that blocked previous permit attempts?

Was there one once and it failed?

Just a random Sunday musing, but also thinking it might be an interesting possible business idea in the future. (A quick Google search showed that modern commercial carwash systems reclaim/reuse the majority of water used, so each car washed uses about as much as two toilet flushes.)

 
Posted : September 25, 2016 7:01 pm
(@Pdmargie)
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Combine that with a quickie oil change service and you'll have a winner,....from what I've read here.

 
Posted : September 25, 2016 7:28 pm
(@Spartygrad95)
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Man STX are you all living in the stone age? STT has both

 
Posted : September 25, 2016 7:31 pm
(@Scubadoo)
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There is a car wash of sorts at Gas City. The guys seem to be there daily at there station and do a hand wash.

 
Posted : September 25, 2016 7:34 pm
(@gringojj)
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I have a friend who owns a gas station/laundromat. I suggested a car wash as I thought it would be a no brainer considering all the water going through the place but he told me that he is not allowed to reclaim the water in that fashion. That is just what he said and I didnt dig any deeper.

 
Posted : September 25, 2016 7:52 pm
(@speee1dy)
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You can get your car washed in the government lot in christiansted

 
Posted : September 25, 2016 8:03 pm
(@SunnyCyn)
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I have a friend who owns a gas station/laundromat. I suggested a car wash as I thought it would be a no brainer considering all the water going through the place but he told me that he is not allowed to reclaim the water in that fashion. That is just what he said and I didnt dig any deeper.

Huh. That's an interesting anecdote; thanks.

 
Posted : September 25, 2016 8:54 pm
(@Pdmargie)
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They probably frown on using potentially dirty diaper water and such to wash cars. It would be a "black water" source for the car wash.

 
Posted : September 25, 2016 9:39 pm
(@Pdmargie)
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Trying to think of a catchy double entendre name for a lube and wash joint. Any suggestions???

 
Posted : September 25, 2016 9:54 pm
(@Oldie1)
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There are a few mobile car wash guys and at least one mobile oil change guy

 
Posted : September 25, 2016 10:07 pm
CruzanIron
(@cruzaniron)
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There'were 3 on STX. 2 for sure are out of business. Not sure about the one in frederiksted.

 
Posted : September 25, 2016 10:49 pm
(@mtdoramike)
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Yep, dirt is holding most Island cars together. Without the cars would fall apart.8-)

mike

 
Posted : September 25, 2016 11:15 pm
(@SunnyCyn)
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Yep, dirt is holding most Island cars together. Without the cars would fall apart.8-)

mike

LOL!!

By the way, I grew up in Central FL and have many fond memories of Mt Dora.

 
Posted : September 26, 2016 1:09 am
(@mtdoramike)
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Thanks Sunny, it's my home town, I retired from the PD here and went to school here. You should came back for a visit. It's still pretty much like it used to be other than a bit more growth. Believe it or not, we are getting a new stand alone movie theater being built that will have like 12 screens. So we are getting up in the world.

mike

 
Posted : September 26, 2016 1:37 am
(@SunnyCyn)
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I'm not entirely surprised to hear that--Orlando's sprawl can't be contained! I do hope MD retains its charm and small town feel; sounds like it has, which is great. I haven't actually been back to FL since 2001 when my Mom passed away.
These days, when I get a bit of vacation time, it's straight to STX!

 
Posted : September 26, 2016 1:43 am
(@quirion)
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Theres another hand one (with detailing) at five corners.

 
Posted : September 26, 2016 2:01 am
(@speee1dy)
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really, is this one new? i dont get out that way often so could have easily missed it

Theres another hand one (with detailing) at five corners.

 
Posted : September 26, 2016 10:48 am
(@watruw8ing4)
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Yep, dirt is holding most Island cars together. Without the cars would fall apart.8-)

mike

I just laugh-spit coffee all over my keyboard. Wish there had been a spoiler alert.

 
Posted : September 26, 2016 1:48 pm
(@SunnyCyn)
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Out of curiosity, I did a little googling and calculating. Looks like setup costs for an automated carwash would likely be in the $750k range including a relatively inexpensive plot of land.

Never mind! *-)

 
Posted : September 26, 2016 6:38 pm
(@speee1dy)
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how long before you would see a profit?

 
Posted : September 26, 2016 7:04 pm
(@quirion)
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Not sure really. Its been there at least a year.

 
Posted : September 26, 2016 7:14 pm
(@SunnyCyn)
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how long before you would see a profit?

Would have to understand traffic patterns at the chosen site etc., to really know, but with such a small population and the economic conditions there, my guess is, long.

 
Posted : September 26, 2016 10:59 pm
(@speee1dy)
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Was thinking so but still an interesting idea. There are no state side like car washes here

 
Posted : September 26, 2016 11:06 pm
(@Scubadoo)
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How much do they charge for the hand wash? I've never gone.

 
Posted : September 27, 2016 1:06 am
(@SunnyCyn)
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Was thinking so but still an interesting idea. There are no state side like car washes here

Yeah--That's really what I meant when I said no car washes. I should have been more specific in my first post! It's been interesting to hear of the various options that do exist on island currently though.
I think a big question is whether enough folks would spend the ~$25 for a "deluxe wash" with all the bells and whistles. By my super rough back of envelope calc, the biz would need to do 20 washes every day for 4 years just to break even on the startup costs, never mind water, supplies, inventory of upsells, staff, taxes, etc.

 
Posted : September 27, 2016 11:49 am
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