The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ) celebrated its 25th Carwash Tour on April 28, touring washes in Flemington and Chester, NJ. The annual event attracted more than 70 attendees.
“This event is really a great opportunity to network, learn, and experience some of the industry’s best sites,” said CWONJ president Dino Nicoletta. “And this year, our 25th, we had a bunch of really interesting sites to tour and a lunch you just don’t find on typical car wash tours.”
The day kicked off with a tour of the first of two Shammy Shine sites in Flemington. The wash, built by the Stem family in 1977, started out as a two-pump, single-island gas station with a 65-foot conveyor tunnel. Its third iteration boasts a major cosmetic renovation and the addition of a free vac corral.
The site’s latest upgrades were completed in 2021. The location boasts two pay stations, 16 free vacs, and five self-serve bays.
The second Shammy site, less than 15 minutes from the first, also in Flemington, was built in 1988 to accommodate the Flemington Fairgrounds and dirt racetrack. The site was completely renovated after a significant fire in 2013. The thriving multi-profit center features a detail center, three-bay lube, a full-serve tunnel, and five self-serve bays.
The final wash on the tour, now owned by Speeders on Maple Avenue in Chester, was recently renovated. The site features a 90-foot tunnel with two payment lanes and a soon-to-be finished reclaim system.
The association’s next event is slated for August 18 at Shore Car Club in Ocean Township, NJ, titled “Cars & Cocktails”. The new facility is the first of its kind in New Jersey and is designed to be a welcoming place for car enthusiasts of all levels. The midday event will include food and drinks. Check the organization’s website for information and updates.