First-time business owner purchases car, pet wash
By Christopher Miller
LOCK HAVEN, PA – Logan was looking for a hobby that pays him.
“I always wanted to own my own business that makes money for me when I am not around,” said Logan Bolopue, the new owner of Bald Eagle Car Wash and Pet Wash on East Bald Eagle Street in Lock Haven. “I wanted something that I could do after work that still made money for my family.”
Logan purchased the business in April and so far, it has gone pretty smoothly for him.
“The only killer for me is the weather,” Logan said. “If there’s a lot of rain then people don’t need a car wash, so I am at the mercy of the weather, and that the City upped their water prices right when I took ownership.”
For Logan, who is fully-invested in his full-time job, owning his own business gives him a sense of pride and happiness. “When it is running smoothly, I only have to put in about an extra hour a day or less of work for the car and pet wash, just depending on how busy it is.”
What not many people know about the business, as Logan described, is the Pet Wash portion.
“Yeah, not many folks know that it’s there, but it’s a handy thing – you go in and pay, and then get about 8 minutes to wash a dog, and we have an assortment of shampoos, flea and tick prevention, sensitive skin, conditioners, and a light blow dryer,” Logan described. “You can leash and hook your dog right there and have it hop in the tub and get a nice warm bath.”
The car wash portion of the business is split up into automatic and manual bays.
“I have one automatic bay with wash cycles like presoak, triple foam, a RainX feature, rinse, and blow dry, but I also have three manual bays for “do it yourself” washing, and another bay for triple foam and a wand for high pressure water, wax selections, and tire cleaner,” Logan explained.
As well as the wash bays, vacuum services are also available here.
“I have three different vacuums here, one is coin operated only, and the others are coin and dollar bill operated, with one being a stain remover and carpet shampooer combo.,” Logan said. “I also have one that is a vacuum with a fragrance thing to get your car smelling good.”
As for payment options, both automatic and manual wash bays accept credit cards, the vacuums and dog wash are cash and coin. “If there is ever a problem with money or errors, I have signs on the walls of who to contact to help,” Logan said.
“My hopes for the future are to possibly expand the business, but right now I am looking forward to being able to run and own my own business,” Logan said.
