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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
I travel to St. George quite often. It's one of my favorite Utah cities. And though it's about four hours from my home, I don't mind the drive. What I do mind, though, are the things my car collects along the way. In the summer, it's bugs. In the winter, it's road salt and sludge.
But lately, those things haven't been a problem. That's 'cause I recently discovered the Red Dirt Car Wash, just off Exit 10 and located in the Costco parking lot next to the gas pumps.
I met owner Brad Cox and learned that the car wash was the kind of business he had hoped to someday own. Brad was impressed after visiting with an uncle in California who owned a similar operation. But it would be nearly two decades before Brad could start up his own car wash.
That opportunity finally came earlier this year. Brad opened the Red Dirt Car Wash on January 28 and since then the business has washed more than 11,000 cars.
The car wash represents the latest in design and technology. Brad told me that it features the Laser Wash 4000. That's the brand name for the touch-free in-bay automatic cleaning system. Brad said the system is remarkable because it uses sensors to measure the width and length of each car. So no matter the size, they all get the same quality wash. The system can equally accommodate long, tall and wide vehicles. For people who opt to do the cleaning themselves, there are four self-service bays.
And I was pleasantly surprised to see that the car wash accepts both cash and credit cards so you're never stuck trying to find quarters.
The Red Dirt Car Wash is constructed of red split-face concrete block with a blue metal roof. Each bay is wide and painted with a light brown paint to give create a bright, open feeling.
Interestingly, Brad plans to develop a Web site for the car wash. He said clients can go online and download discount coupons or purchase a fleet card they can use to buy washes. I look forward to it as I do every trip to St. George and the Red Dirt Car Wash.
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
