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Court orders Columbia, S.C., to pay former car wash owner over $5 million

In the suit, the owner of the former Constan Car Wash in the Five Points neighborhood claimed the city put the nearly 75-year-old operation out of business.

Author

Jim Utter
August 04, 2025

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🌅Good morning! Find out why a judge ruled the city of Columbia, S.C., has to pay the owner of a former car wash more than $5 million in this issue of the Car Wash Daily News email newsletter.

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We’re excited about offering a new addition to the media landscape to help publicize an underserved industry. I hope you enjoy reading.

Jim Utter
Director of Journalism/Editor in Chief
Car Wash Daily News

Today's issue is sponsored by The Vita Agency — Let’s Drive More Business Your Way.

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🔦TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT🔦

Court orders Columbia, S.C., to pay former car wash owner over $5 million

The City of Columbia, South Carolina, has been ordered to pay more than $5 million to the former owner of a longtime car wash after he won a legal battle over flood damage.

In the suit, the owner of the car wash formerly located in the Five Points neighborhood, O. Stanley Smith, claimed the city put the nearly 75-year-old operation out of business.

Read more here.

➥ SUMMARY

In the suit, the owner of the former Constan Car Wash, O. Stanley Smith, claimed the city put the nearly 75-year-old operation out of business.

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✂️SHORTCUTS✂️

   Editor’s Pick 👇

  • Express Wash Concepts accelerates regional growth with new Clean Express Auto Wash site: Express Wash Concepts one of the nation’s fastest growing car wash operators, announced the grand opening of its 11th metro Detroit Clean Express Auto Wash, located at 2350 Fort St in Lincoln Park, Michigan. EWC now operates 123 express wash locations across Detroit, Pittsburgh, Toledo, Cleveland, Dayton, Columbus and Hampton Roads. To celebrate, the site is offering free “Ceramic 4 Ultra” premium washes for free through Aug. 10. Read more here.

   Express Hits  🎯 

  • Links Car Wash continues to expand its Florida footprint with the grand opening of its newest location at 6800 4th Street North in St. Petersburg. Formerly operating as Shine Auto Wash, the site has been fully rebranded and upgraded to reflect the Links Car Wash experience. “We’re excited to officially open our doors in St. Pete,” said Joe Teague, CEO of Links Car Wash. “This location represents our continued investment in Florida and our mission to bring an elevated car wash experience to more communities.” 

  • El Car Wash is hosting a block-style grand opening party on Aug. 9 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for its newest location at 4575 S. Semoran Blvd. in Orlando, Florida. The event will include live music, complimentary treats from local businesses, giveaways (including a chance at a year of unlimited washes), free washes for new customers and special membership promotions.

  • Registration is open for the 12th Women in Carwash Conference. The first bi-annual Women in Carwash Conference of 2026 will be held Jan. 18-20, 2026, at the Hilton Clearwater (Florida) Beach Resort & Spa. More info here.

    👉 More updates here.

   Making Waves Around the World  🌊 

  • Wanneroo, Australia, set for new $2.5 million gym and car wash development: Butler Boulevard in Wanneroo, Australia, is continuing to take shape, with plans for a 24-hour gym and car wash the latest development being proposed, according to a report in Perth Now. The proposed site of the $2.5 million development includes a Ryderwear gym with a two-story building and 40 carparking spaces. The car wash will feature three automated bays, two manual bays and two vacuum stations. The gym and car wash are intended to operate 24 hours, seven days a week. City residents are being asked to provide feedback on the proposal.

    👉 More updates here.

   What’s Coming Up  📅

  • Leadership Worth Following Growth Summit: The LWF’s Growth Summit, designed to bring together car wash professionals committed to growth, impact and authentic leadership, is Sept. 22-23, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. More info here.

  • Car Wash Show Europe 2025: The leading car wash trade fair in Europe takes place Sept. 24-25, 2025, at EXPO Greater Amsterdam in the Netherlands. More info here.

  • Northeast Regional Carwash Convention 2025: The NRCC, scheduled for Oct. 6-8, 2025, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, includes educational seminars, keynote speakers, and a large trade show. More info here.

  • NACS Show 2025: The National Association of Convenience Stores trade show, scheduled for Oct. 14-17, 2025, Chicago, Illinois, brings together convenience and fuel retailing industry professionals for learning, buying and selling and networking. More info here.

  • ROADMAP by ICA: The International Carwash Association presents its two-day ROADMAP conference in Dallas, Texas. Day 1’s focus will be “People,” while Day 2 will be “Projections.” More info here.

  • SEMO Show 2025: The Specialty Equipment Market Association’s annual automotive industry tradeshow is Nov. 4-7, 2025, at the Las Vegas (Nevada) Convention Center. Read more here.

  • 12th Women in Carwash Conference: The first bi-annual Women in Carwash Conference of 2026 will be held Jan. 18-20, 2026, at the Hilton Clearwater (Florida) Beach Resort & Spa. More info here.

  • SCWA Convention & Expo 2026: The Southwest Car Wash Association’s annual “First Big Car Wash Show of Year” will be held Feb. 25-27, 2026, at the Fort Worth (Texas) Convention Center. More info here.

  • ICA 2026 The Car Wash Show: The International Carwash Association’s premier event is set for May 11-13, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. More info here.

❓DID YOU KNOW❓

According to a recent report by Market Research Intellect, the global car wash water filter system market is expected to grow to $1.8 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.5 percent 2026 to 2033.

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Car Wash Daily News is seeking a highly motivated, results-driven B2B Sales Representative to spearhead our growth in the rapidly evolving car wash industry. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious sales professional to make a tangible impact at an emerging digital media platform committed to delivering high-value content to car wash professionals, suppliers and industry stakeholders. More information here.

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Disclaimer: The authors of cwdailynews.com, LLC are not financial or tax professionals. This email is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We strongly recommend conducting your own research and consulting with qualified professionals before making any decisions. Our content, which may include affiliate links, reflects personal opinions and should not be used as the sole basis for decision-making. We are not responsible for any losses resulting from the use of this information.