Rick Rose and Ultimate Shine bringing 15 jobs, another option to Zanesville
ZANESVILLE — Rick Rose never envisioned himself in the car wash game after leaving the Muskingum County Sheriff's Office, but he landed in it and isn't looking back.
After weeks of waiting, Rose finally was able to open Ultimate Shine Car Wash after purchasing the former Golden Corral property off Northpointe Drive. It created 15 new jobs.
It has been open for business for more than two weeks, but the official grand opening will be held at 9 a.m. today and continue through Sept. 10. The Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce is holding its official ribbon cutting at that time, while Y107.3 FM will broadcast live there from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
It's the latest new business to open on the city's north end. 7 Brew, which specializes in drive-thru coffee and other beverages, will open soon on the corner of Military Road and Maple Avenue, with the newly constructed Wendy's adjacent to it soon to follow.
Rose's venture is a can't miss, at least in terms of the visual aspect. The project cost of around $6 million included a $2.8 million investment in the building structure alone.
Even with plenty of local competition nearby, such as Squiggly's and Bee Clean within a short drive on Maple, Rose is confident there is plenty of market share for all parties.
He helped run a local car wash for a year, so he's not going into the business with blinders. He compared it to the restaurant industry, in terms of many staying busy and unable to serve the demand at times.
"Everyone seems to complain about it at first, but it seems like they are always full," Rose said. "It's the same way with the car wash. We are gradually getting to the customer base. We can be better, but we're slowly gaining customers."
Ultimate Shine, founded in 2005 in Morristown, Tennessee, is a chain of Spotless Brands and has 20 facilities, but Zanesville's location is just the second in Ohio. The other is in Heath, with locations soon to open in Fairborn and Washington Court House in the southwestern region of the state. Ultimate Shine is on pace to double its footprint over the next two years with its new developments and acquisitions.
Spotless, part of Access Holdings, has more than 150 location in eight states and Washington D.C.; Ultimate Shine locations are in eastern Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia.
They will offer special promotions and activities to celebrate the week of Zanesville's grand opening, including free car washes with a text opt-in for a monthly membership.
The first month includes a promotional cost of $9.95. They are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, only closing on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
"We’re excited to continue to broaden our reach across the state of Ohio with a team that is passionate about providing a quality wash to their community,” Ultimate Shine General Manager and Vice President Wade Sharp said in a press release. “We look forward to offering the Zanesville community a fast, convenient, quality car wash.”
According to the release, Ultimate Shine's longer wash tunnels provide industry-leading technology, namely self-cleaning foam brushes and an advanced drying system with Buff and Dry equipment. Its signature Ultimate Fusion paint sealant process makes for easier washes over time.
It uses bio-degradable cleaning agents in the washing process and uses advanced water reclamation to re-use water when possible. Customers can join the company's monthly wash club, while a fleet wash program is available for businesses.
Free vacuums, window cleaner and towels are included with every wash, while employees also spray the fender wells and rear spoilers, which can't be reached by brushes, manually prior to entering the line, Rose said.
"We offer a lot of extra amenities here," Rose said. "We're priced competitively with the other car washes in town. A lot of people come in with (older cars) and for $10 you get what you pay for with the foams. We pride ourselves on our tunnel because it's longer than some of the competitors. The advantage of the longer tunnel is it gives the chemicals more time to work. And we have more room for equipment."
Rose said he had a vision of what he wanted in a car wash when he began the venture, "but you never know what you're going to end up with or where you're building it until it's finished."
In this case, the Golden Corral property also included the lot to the west of the car wash, which is currently for sale. The delayed opening of Ultimate Shine was the result of Home Depot Drive, a private thoroughfare that connects Northpointe to the neighboring shopping center.
"It was a right of way holdup over four feet," Rose said.
That's in the past now, however. Rose said their goal is to serve between 400 and 700 cars per days, which he said would be about average with competitors.
"If you wash more than twice a month, the membership pays for itself," Rose said. "There's no catch."
Rose, who started and sold two private security companies prior to his car wash endeavors, is happy with the career change, even if he is officially retired.
"I love the car wash market," Rose said. "We're still learning. This is all still new for us."
sblackbu@gannett.com; Twitter: @SamBlackburnTR
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Ultimate Shine grand opening is today
