When the economy starts to slide, it’s time to protect your biggest investments — and that means taking better care of your automobile, says Scott Servetah, co-owner and operating partner of Capitol Car Wash on Princeton Avenue in Lawrence.
Servetah and business partner Stephen Ward bought the car wash in September 2007 from Hubert Zada, whose family had owned it for 40 years.
“To get that new car feel back, a wash goes a long way, and so does detailing,” Servetah, 42, said. “With everything that’s going on in the world right now, it’s the best way to keep an asset looking good. It’s tough out there.”
Millstone resident Servetah and Pennington resident Ward, also 42, were commodities traders working the floor of the coffee, sugar and cocoa exchange. When the exchange went digital — eliminating traders in the process — they decided to go into business together.
With the help of mentor Servetah’s mentor, Jack Aaronson, they chose the car wash industry. Aaronson owns three car washes in Monmouth County.
Servetah and Ward have been busy since taking over. One thing they have done in the past year is change the entire car wash over to Armor All products. The soap, wax and polish dispensing systems are computerized, to ensure that each car gets the right amount of product.
They’ve added power washers and special wheel cleaners that do a much better job of getting dirt out of that tricky area. And they’ve switched all their towels and cloths over to more efficient products. They’ve also purchased a state-of-the-art air-dry system that should be installed soon.
They didn’t just pay attention to the technical end of things. The newly restuccoed store is also more comfortable for those who are sitting and waiting, with granite countertops, flat-screen televisions and new signs throughout.
Capitol Car Wash is open seven days a week (8:30 to 5:30 Monday through Saturday and 8 to 3 Sunday) and is always fully staffed in good weather. Any time a customer is not satisfied, they address it, evaluate what needs to be done to correct it, Servetah said.
In addition to washes, Capitol Car Wash also does a lot of detailing. They offer 25-minute express hand waxes, which Servetah said is a good way to protect cars from a harsh winter.
They offer extensive detailing packages. Automobiles are cleaned throughout the interiors and exteriors and the outsides are compounded and polished. A full detail takes about four hours, but they also will shampoo carpets and mats while you wait.
Servetah said he likes Capitol Car Wash’s central location and the diverse community it serves.
“We’re going to be here a long time. We want to be part of this community,” Servetah said. They already sponsor Little League teams and a youth football league, and they offer local schools, churches and synagogues and nonprofit organizations opportunities to do fundraising in partnership with the car wash.
Capitol City Car Wash is located at 1617 Princeton Ave. Telephone: (609) 695-6166.
Scott Servetah and Stephen Ward, co-owners of Capitol Car Wash on Princeton Avenue in Lawrence, bought the business in September 2007. Photo courtesy of Scott Servetah.,
