Katy’s Car Wash
By Kate Copsey / STAFF
.jpg) Brenda Hemphill with Katy. |
The logo of Katy’s Car Wash is a small, energetic West Highland White Terrier named Katy in her sparkling clean yellow car. Katy lives with the equally energetic Brenda Hemphill who is the owner of the car wash.
The family-owned business is located in the new town of Milton, where it strives to be a good neighbor as well as a thriving business. Getting along with the neighbors is important to Hemphill, and over the past few years she has proven to them, and the community, that she is willing to search out and listen to her neighbors when making decisions that might impact them.
Why a Car Wash?
Leaving corporate life for a quiet life was not in Hemphill’s plans. She admits that she “always loved cars” and so wanted to do something with that theme. She looked at several options including the oil change business, but decided that the new car wash technology was a better fit for her background and skills.
Logistics
Establishing a car wash business on a plot of land that previously had a house on it is not a simple thing. Car washes, even environmentally friendly car washes, need sewers and that was something that Hemphill had to put in.
At the time the land was in Fulton County, so the process of permitting went through that authority. The first hurdle was figuring out where to put the connection without going under the road. This necessitated getting the neighboring businesses on board with the idea of them all connecting to the sewer. Hemphill’s undaunted determination coupled with her winning smile and easy to get along with attitude, persuaded them that this move would be good for everyone and the sewer line was put in.
Hemphill admits that “I have wonderful neighbors. ”
She also met with the local homeowners and their neighborhood associations to ensure that they were supportive of the car wash in the area. Going that extra mile to be on good terms with the neighbors included the decision to put attractive brick on the wall that faces Highway 9.
Overall, the logistics took about three years to complete, and she needed to “keep persevering” when dealing with government. “They need one step finished before you can start on the next one” Hemphill said.
By the end of the building process, the car wash was signed off on by the new Milton authorities.
A New Kind of Car Wash
Katy’s is not a traditional car wash that in the past would scratch the surface of the car. Neither is it the full manual car wash that is typically found in the region. In fact, Hemphill found this model of car wash in Ohio but was told that this type of express car wash would not work in the South. Hemphill thought otherwise, and she figured that North Fulton County people were ready for a fast, friendly car wash.
So the business model emphasizes fast – you can get a car washed in about three minutes — friendly service. Someone guides the car onto the track and monitors the progress through the wash process. Moreover, it’s environmentally friendly; the water is recycled.
Clearly it benefits everyone to use water responsibly. As your vehicle enters the carwash, it goes over a trench that collects all the water. This is then collected and treated to remove dirt, minerals and bacteria. Using the recycled water in future wash cycles minimizes the amount of fresh water used in the total car wash process.
Even without the drought and updated regulations for new car washes to include recycling water, Hemphill said, “We would have done it anyway. It is the right thing to do and, with the water crisis, we all need it. ”
Details
Interior vacuuming of your car is offered in bays at the side of the car wash. Here you can towel dry any areas that might still be damp and you can vacuum your vehicle. If you choose though, the attendants will do the interior for you. The emphasis on doing what the customer prefers is tantamount to running this friendly business.
The whole business is controlled from a desktop computer. From the time you select which car wash option to use, a specific set of parameters are set in the computer and delivered to your vehicle. Options include wheel cleaners, spot-free rinses and rain protection finishes, as well as interior “spa” options such as windows and dashboard cleaning.
Your vehicle is visible throughout the whole process. The crew that guides you onto the track will check your car for stickers and open windows as well as ensure that you get the correct wash and that you do not get stuck in the middle of the wash. They know where you are the whole time.
Being Good Neighbors
Being a good neighbor goes beyond just the building process. Katy’s Car Wash has local high school students working as attendants on the weekends because Hemphill wants to “be part of the community and a contributor. ”
The neighboring business, North Fulton Feed Shop, gives dog biscuits to the car wash and Hemphill packages these into gift bags which she gives to each customer that comes through with a dog. This benefits the customers and her neighbor, as well as keeping the dogs happy.
Regionally, Hemphill is involved with the South East Car Wash Association and in particular with the Georgia chapter of the organization. Banding together with other car wash professionals allows exchange of ideas and education for everyone. When the Georgia Chapter was formed, predominantly because of drought conditions, Hemphill was selected to be the Secretary and Treasurer of the chapter.
Family Affair
Katy’s Car Wash is a family business that involves Brenda’s son, Rob, and his wife, Amy. All three work together every other weekend. Rob Hemphill, is in charge of the electronic side of the carwash business. He explains that “everything works on hydraulic power and air.”
Amy Hemphill understands the computer end of the business but enjoys working at the car wash as she “enjoys talking to the customers. ”
Although owning a car wash may not have been the obvious choice for his mother, Rob thinks it is “a fun choice” and a fitting one, as his mother “likes the environment and people” as well as cars.
Katy’s Car Wash is located at 12960 Highway 9, Milton. It is opposite Fry’s Electronics and just east/north of Windward Parkway.
Contact: www. katyscarwash. com; 678-297-9215.
Open Mon-Sat: 8 a.m. -7 p.m. ; Sunday: 9 a.m.-6 p. m.