What’s Up With All the Car Washes Around Kalamazoo?

Then suddenly it feels like they’re everywhere.

New builds. Remodels. Expansions.

Car washes.

You’re Not Imagining It

Over the past couple of years, there’s been a noticeable increase in car wash locations around Kalamazoo and Portage.

Different brands, different styles—but all popping up in high-traffic areas.

Why Car Washes?

A few reasons this type of business works right now:

• Membership models (monthly plans = predictable revenue)
• Lower staffing needs than restaurants or retail
• High visibility along busy roads
• Consistent demand (especially in Michigan winters)
•  

Why You’re Seeing Them in Specific Spots

They tend to land where:

• Traffic is steady
• Access is easy
• People are already stopping nearby (grocery, gas, errands)

👉 In other words… convenience wins again.

The Bigger Picture

It’s not just about clean cars.

It’s about a type of business that:

• Scales easily
• Runs efficiently
• Fits how people move around town

Bottom Line

Once you notice it, you’ll start seeing it everywhere.

And it’s a good reminder that what’s being built around town often says a lot about where things are heading.