While Northeast Ohio faces a sweltering summer heatwave, a story of grit and community from a frigid winter past resurfaces — one tied deeply to a longtime neighborhood institution: Carriage Auto Wash.

A Blizzard to Remember

When a blizzard struck in January 2022, dumping close to 10 inches of snow, Carriage Auto Wash had to temporarily shut down. With snow piling up fast, the crew received an invitation to shovel and help reopen.

Their answer: “When and where?”

Those with four-wheel drives picked up others, grabbed breakfast from McDonald’s, and got to work. Armed with shovels, snowblowers, a plow truck, and even a tractor, the team spent nearly 20 hours over two days digging out the entire property.

But the effort didn’t stop there.

“We helped neighbors get unstuck on Terminal Avenue and W. 150th. We even dug out a hotel shuttle bus trying to reach the airport so passengers could make their flight. That weekend wasn’t about business. It was about community — and I’ll never forget it,” says Owner Eric Schafrick.

But, the story of Carriage Auto Wash doesn’t begin with a blizzard. It begins in *1970**, right here in* West Park.

A West Park Original Since 1970

Originally called Carriage Gas and Wash, the company opened with two locations—one on W. 150th Street and another across from Holy Cross Cemetery on Brookpark Road. It remained under the care of the McGlynn family until 2018.

The current owner who began working at Carriage in 2005 while still in high school, says the business has always been more than a job.

“I didn’t just grow into the job—I grew up here,” Schafrick says.

Growing Up & Learning the Ropes

Over the years, the now-owner learned every corner of the car wash — from the tunnel to high-tech control systems — eventually taking full ownership more than a decade later. Carriage Auto Wash has grown in size, scope, and technology — but has never strayed from its local roots.

A Pioneer in Unlimited Washes

Long before national chains popularized it, Carriage was among the first in the region to offer a Monthly Unlimited Wash program—an innovation that many now take for granted.

“It was a game-changer then—and still is,” says the current owner.

From Hooks to High-Tech

In its early days, vehicles were pulled through the tunnel with hooks attached to bumpers, scrubbed with coarse brushes, and sprayed with harsh chemicals. Those methods left many wary of automatic washes for years.

“That history created a stigma — that automatic washes are tough on cars. We work every day to change that narrative,” says Schafrick.

Today’s Carriage Auto Wash is powered by a suite of innovations:

Camera-guided sensors to prevent collisions
Smart switches and timers that conserve water and chemicals
Neoprene friction materials that clean gently and effectively
Queue tracking software to ensure every customer receives the wash they paid for
State-of-the-art chemistry, where “you wouldn’t believe how important a P.H. level is to getting a clean, shiny, dry car,” the owner notes.

Built and Maintained In-House

From welding and plumbing to electrical and IT work, everything at Carriage is maintained in-house. This hands-on approach has led to fewer breakdowns and faster repairs—a key benefit for the wash’s Unlimited Members.

Later this year, the team will install a new conveyor system, engineered and built by their own crew.

In an era where most washes are operated by large corporations or private equity firms, Carriage remains a rare breed: locally owned, locally staffed, and locally invested.

“Many of our team members grew up in West Park. When you visit, you’re not just another car—you’re part of the community,” the owner says. “Chances are, you’ll be greeted by name.”

Still Standing. Still Shining.

Now more than 50 years strong, Carriage Auto Wash continues to serve its West Park neighbors on W. 150th Street, thriving not just on soap and shine—but on trust, tradition, and tenacity.

The tunnel may be sleeker, the brushes softer, and the software smarter—but the mission remains the same: to treat every customer like part of the family.