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Rappahannock Record

February 5, 2015

 

Car wash sold; café going strong

by Renss Greene

 

The suds half of the Car Wash Café has been sold, but it’s service as usual at the café. TowneBank Mortgage executive vice president Chris Beale bought the property and car wash business from owner Susan Hill at the end of 2014 with an eye toward renovation.

 

“I saw that the business there had some growth potential if it was improved upon,” said Beale. “We’ve already replaced a lot of the equipment in the wash itself. We’ve also added some equipment.”

 

TowneBank Mortgage is in Glen Allen, but Beale has had a home on Bells Creek near the Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club for eight years.

 

“I want to eventually retire down here,” said Beale.

 

The car wash business will be a supplemental retirement job, he said. He has incorporated the car wash under the new name Riverwash LLC. The car wash was previously known as Fore U Car Wash.

 

He had previously looked into opening a car wash nearby, but found that it would be more feasible to buy and renovate the existing car wash and contacted Hill. “Chris just came along and made me a good offer, and the car wash equipment needed to be replaced, and it was just the perfect time to sell so I can focus more on the restaurant business,” Hill said, emphasizing that the Car Wash Café is staying put.

“We’re going to stay right here, continue doing good service, good food, and good catering,” said Hill, who has taken a long-term lease on the café space.

 

“It’s a good little business, and Susan is a unique person and a fantastic business partner,” said Beale.

 

“I’m delighted that Chris has bought the business,” Hill said. “I think the car wash business was ready for a new owner, and ready for new ideas, and I think Chris is going to do a super job.”

 

Chris Beale recently purchased Kilmarnock car wash.