Come Monday, the Valley has a new place to go to wash the winter grime away.
Philly’s Express car wash – on Route 67 behind Starbucks – will officially open its doors Feb. 15.
Owner Phil Pedros of Oxford was at the new facility this week running trucks and cars through the new car wash, making sure that the new equipment is ready for his first customers.
Pedros spent more than $900,000 to build the 3,000 square-foot car wash. He broke ground in September and is now ready to roll.
The brick building is trimmed in red, yellow, and black and white checker board trim. Motorists sit in their car and travel down a 100-foot tunnel while red and yellow brushless soft cloths inside the car wash clean your car or truck in about three minutes.
A blue sign also flashes “thanks,’’ to customers once their vehicle is finished being washed.
The system was designed by Belanger Equipment of Michigan.
“I’m really excited to get this up and running,’’ said Pedros, who said he has hired six employees and may add more employees if business warrants it. He said he will also use some of the building to run his construction company.
Jon Szuch, the chairman of Seymour’s Economic Development Commission said the car wash is a “much needed business for Seymour and surrounding towns.”
“I expect that this business will be a gold mine and Seymour welcomes it with open arms,’’ Szuch said.
Dennis Almeida of Derby stopped by the new car wash this week to check it out. “This is really state of the art and will be an asset to the Valley. I’ll be coming up here at least twice a week to get my vehicle cleaned,’’ he said. “This place will be really convenient for me to get to.”
Philly’s Car wash is at 253 West St., which is on Route 67 at Mountain Road.
It will be open starting Monday, seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Car wash prices range from $7 for basic to $13 for the works. The vacuum service is free. Special packages are also available.
Pedros said he would also have an area outside for detailing of vehicles. He said this should start in the spring.
