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Elliott Auto Bath was tapped as one of the best car washes in America in a recent article by the Profession Carwashing & Detailing magazine.
The article, which can be found in the July issue, discusses four car washes across America, spotlighting them for offering a superior experience for owners wanting to shine up their vehicle.
Pat Drury and her late husband, Carl, opened the car wash in 1989 when they could not find an area car wash that did not use brushes, which can damage the vehicle. Since Carl’s death in 2000, Drury has been the owner/operator of the facility, which is open year-round. Her second husband, Jim, helps out on weekends, which are usually busy.
While Drury said she was proud to be recognized by the trade magazine, it is the admiration from customers in the lobby that makes her proud on a daily basis.
“What I’ve learned is our customers are the most important business,” she said. “Repeat business and word of mouth has kept us going for almost 20 years.”
Elliott Auto Bath, located at 901 Elliott Dr. in Middletown, uses a 110-foot computerized, touchless conveyor system to wash and wax vehicles. Washes range from a $8.95 exterior wash to Drury’s monkey-theme Super Duper Monkey, which includes interior vacuuming, triple clear coat and sealer wax, rust inhibitor, air freshener and rim and wheel cleaner.
Customers can view every step of the process from the fully windowed, air conditioned lobby complete with 60s and 70s nostalgic prints and music. About six employees work on each car as it makes its way through the wash. Elliott Auto Bath also offers detailing and scratch and paint touch-ups by appointment.
While Drury said “I would be lying if I said the economy has not affected us,” the weather plays a more important role, as rain tends to keep customers away. Winter is the busiest time because of the road salt, which can cause damage. Despite some bad weather and economic pressures in 2009, she said the car wash will service about 50,000 vehicles this year.
Drury said she doesn’t plan to retire and would like to continue serving the Middletown community for years to come.
“I don’t take credit for surviving here this long,” she said. “It’s my customers and my good employees. We are a close-knit community and we help each other.”
This is the second time Elliott Auto Bath has been named by the trade publication, with the first listing appearing in the February 2008 issue.
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