Why Are There So Many Car Washes In Tampa Bay?

There’s no shortage of car washes in the Tampa Bay area. Chances are, if you need one, you can find multiple within a 5-minute drive. But, why are dozens of new car washes popping up all across the state? We’ll share a few reasons why you might be seeing more car washes in Tampa Bay.

The days of old-school full-service car washes may be coming to an end. New chains are on the rise and opening dozens of state-of-the-art automated car washes across the Tampa Bay area. The choice between a self-service wash bay or a full-service washing is gone and residents are left to make a new choice between Woodie’s Wash Shack, Big Dan’s, Bubble Down, and more.

One reason these chains are taking over is their offer. People are steering towards convenience more than anything in 2024. For example, let’s take a look at Woodie’s Wash Shack. Washes start at $14 for the lowest tier and go up to $30 for the top-tier wash package. Subscriptions are the real kicker and offer customers the most bang for the buck with $24.99 unlimited for the lowest option and $49.99 for the top tier unlimited package.

These new facilities operate with a lower labor cost because of the automated systems and allow for a higher profit. Even if people aren’t using their monthly subscriptions, the company is still making money off of them.

Convenience isn’t the only reason car wash chains are taking over Tampa Bay. Yes, having dozens of car washes along a mile strip is convenient for residents, but that’s not the only reason they’re around.

Land Banking is, “the practice of acquiring parcels of land for future sale or development.” Developers have used this strategy for decades to hold onto land in an area where high population growth is projected. They wait and then sell to other developers for housing, shopping, and more, years down the road.

Tampa Bay has seen an insane amount of growth since 2020 with no slowing down in sight. The developers that buy up these plots of land want to put down a low-maintenance, low-cost business to help increase profit while holding the land. These car wash chains rely heavily on automation so costs are generally low and these car washes turn into passive income for land that is already increasing in value in the area, just like the storage facility boom back in the 2010s. 

What do storage facilities have to do with car washes? Well like a car wash, the storage facilities are easy to build and offer a low-cost, high-profit business. They have space and you need it. It is as simple as that. Once the facility is no longer needed, they can sell the land to the highest bidder for a new development.

Watching local businesses and restaurants being torn down for more carwashes isn't ideal, but that's what happens in a booming city. Let us know your thoughts. Do you like the ease and convenience of the new car wash chains?

Overall, St Pete is a great place to live or visit. Depending on who you ask, they might say it's even better than across the bridge in Tampa. Even though St. Pete has tons of nightlife, attractions, great restaurants, and breweries, some think it's missing some key elements. We dove down a Reddit thread and found 5 things residents say that are missing from St. Pete.

The Sunshine City was recently named a trending travel destination by Trip Advisor. It ranked #2 in spots to travel for 2024. St. Pete is known to average over 300 days of sunshine, so there's always an opportunity to explore, except it's missing a vital element to allow residents and tourists to move around easily. Public transport is a big issue and wants in the Tampa Bay area. The only options you have in St. Pete are the PSTA busses and Sun Runner.

Like we said, there's lots to love about St. Pete. One of the best things about the city is its easy beach access. Instead of dealing with crowded beaches and tourist nonsense, you can opt for a more local-friendly spot like Pass-a-Grille or Indian Rocks Beach. It's the same gorgeous views, but less hassle. Another thing St. Pete has to offer is an amazing arts scene. Between the Dali Museum, The Fairgrounds, and the endless galleries on Central Ave, there is a lot to immerse yourself in. A lot of people also say that the nightlife scene is better in St. Pete compared to Tampa. In St. Pete, you have more walkable options and a big downtown stretch to bar hop, and most places are open pretty late. Tampa has a bunch of clubs in Ybor and Soho. But if you're looking for a more laid-back vibe, St. Pete is the move.

Much like all the cities surrounding Tampa Bay, the lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest complaints from St. Pete residents. Every month it seems we read about a new luxury condo complex being built. We would like to see more affordable options, especially for those who have lived here their whole lives.

Like we said earlier, we have the PSTA and Sun Runner, but some type of light rail in Downtown St. Pete would be fantastic. Residents seem to agree overall that the city could use more bike lanes with medians, car free walkable spaces and more parks/ greenery in general.

Tampa has Armature Works, so why doesn't St. Pete have a similar concept of a food hall/multipurpose space. Unlike the pier, preferably something indoors would be nice!

We saw someone suggest this on the Reddit thread and loved the idea. There is a dueling piano bar in downtown clearwater, but that's quite the hike when you're spending the evening in St. Pete. With the late night hours in St. Pete, we think a spot like this would do really well.

This totally fits the vibe of St. Pete. We're surprised there's no public outdoor skating rink of any kind. A partnership with the Tampa Bay Lightning would get people out there too! If this ever happens, they better make sure it's shaded!

Last but not least on our list is Costco. The closest Costco to the St. Pete area is off Gulf To Bay Blvd in Clearwater. We need one off 4th street or 34th street!