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Get Your
Car Clean—Beachy Clean! The Beachy Clean Car Wash opened in April 2002, and Matz credits the “old school work ethic” with its success. “Our shirts say ‘Kickin’ It Old Skool.’ We remember customers by their first names and treat them courteously,” he said. “We have a very loyal local following. When I started this business, I was interested in forming relationships and friendships.” Matz indicated that repeat business has been strong. Matz also pointed out that his equipment is unrivaled. “We use Lammscloth out of Southern California, the safest and most effective cleaning material there is.” Beachy Clean is one of only three car washes in the state of Florida employing Lammscloth equipment. The design concept also sets the Beachy Clean apart from its competitors. The 70-foot tunnel—full of colorful work by local artists—is modeled after the Wilshire West Car Wash in Santa Monica, Cal.—“the busiest and best in the country,” Matz said. And then there is the Beachy Clean staff, who Matz describes as “without question, the best. I have two people in the detail shop who are the best on the coast. The work they turn out is fabulous. Chris and Justin have been with me since day one. They’re fantastic. All the kids on board now are great. They do a wonderful job with our customers.” Matz gives each of his employees a handbook detailing customer service standards. “We make every attempt to satisfy the customers,” he said. The little things mean a lot, too—when a customer’s car is finished, he or she is given an attractive napkin that reads “Have a Beachy Day.” The Beachy Clean Car Wash also accommodates the busy work force. “If someone just wants an exterior wash, they can stay in the car,” Matz said. Navigating the still-under-construction Hwy. 98 also has its rewards for locals. “For a full service car wash, locals get a 20 percent discount on our most popular wash. We also sell a locals VIP card that knocks 20 percent off the exterior wash.” Additional services offered include engine and interior steam cleaning, sealing and waxing, Wax options include everything from express hand wax to “full-on sealer wax which provides 10 months of protection,” Matz said. Prices range from $10 (no-frills wash) to $299 (full detailing) and “everything in between.” “We tried to create an atmosphere where people look forward to that 20 minutes it takes to clean their car. We’ve actually got people that come in here just to chill. That’s a real compliment,” Matz said, referring to Beachy Clean’s kaleidoscopic waiting area. “It was created with a European influence. The music we play is chilled, down-tempo and reggae.” Customers who dig the music can purchase those CDs, as well as “inspirational knick-knacks” and apparel. Beachy Clean Car Wash is located east of the 30A intersection. The wash is currently closed on Sundays “until the highway is done,” Matz said. Matz recently established Beachy Clean Carpet Clean. An old baseball friend, Brandon Hobbs, is running it, and Matz indicated that things were going great. “People associate us with the car wash and know our reputation. The same motto applies—professional, courteous and fun. We take our time to do a really good job,” Matz said. “It’s been very rewarding for me to take the energy I devoted to baseball and corporate America and incorporate them in my business in South Walton.” |
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Fans
of the 1976 comedy classic Car Wash have always hoped for a real-life
establishment that would be a fun place to hang out. With the Beachy
Clean Car Wash, located on U.S. Highway 98 East in Santa Rosa Beach,
the dream has come true. But instead of the pulsating soul music
of Rolls Royce, customers can groove on chill-out music and reggae
tunes. And instead of the fat, bald cigar-chomping boss from the
movie, you’ll find the energetic owner and designer Mike Matz.Copyright © The Beachcomber, Inc. 2003 - 2008. All rights reserved.