Three years of planning and development led to the grand opening of the Buddy Bear Car Wash in Chicago Ridge on Jan. 15. The site, formerly home to the Saunoris & Sons flower shop and greenhouses at 6000 W. 111th St., has quickly gained traction among residents.
When the Saunoris family closed their longtime business in January 2022, selling the property to car wash developers initially sparked concerns from neighbors worried about increased traffic. However, developers worked with the village to address those concerns, including installing a “porkchop” divider to prevent vehicles from turning left into the residential area.
“Customers just come in from 111th Street,” said Alex Thomas, the car wash manager.
Despite snowy and cold conditions on Feb. 12, the business has seen steady customer flow. “This is actually our busy season. People want to get all the road salt off their vehicles,” Thomas said.
The car wash, open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., has been serving between 100 and 200 cars per day.
“That is a good number for us starting out,” Thomas said. “Some of our older locations have a lot more than that coming through.”
The Chicago Ridge location, across from Holy Sepulchre Cemetery at Austin Avenue, is the latest in Buddy Bear’s expanding chain. The company now has nine locations in Chicago and seven in the suburbs, including Bellwood, Berwyn, Broadview, Calumet City and Maywood.
Before each vehicle goes through the automatic wash—starting with Lava Foam and other extras—Thomas or assistant manager Jamal Bennet gives it a head start with a soft brush and soapy water. Prices range from $5 to $15 for the Buddy Bear Special, which includes a finishing wax.
“A lot of people are signing up for our monthly memberships,” Thomas said.
Monthly passes start at $19.99, and annual “Buddy Passes” begin at $199. To boost visibility, the car wash plans to distribute information packets and giveaways in the surrounding neighborhood in the coming weeks.
The facility also features two vacuum bays available to customers. “The vacuums are free, and a car wash isn’t required to use them,” Thomas noted.
Mayor Jack Lind praised the new business, calling it a win for the area.
“They have been in compliance and are in good standing with the village,” Lind said. “They have been busy, and it is working great. It is very difficult to get businesses on 111th Street, so having the car wash there is a major plus.”