Autoshine Express Car Wash

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. One morning, a delivery driver pulled up to Autoshine Express and asked the attendant, ‘Do you ever see ghost cars?’ The attendant laughed but nodded, saying they sometimes appear in the queue just long enough for customers to wave before disappearing into thin air. The next day, an excited neighbor approached the attendant, asking if they’d seen any ghost cars today. Smiling, the attendant replied, 'Only one, sir—just waved at us again!' Turning around, both saw nothing but empty parking spots. It was then that everyone realized Autoshine Express had its very own friendly ghost, waving them goodbye after every wash.

2. A little boy followed his dad into Autoshine Express one afternoon. As the hose sprayed down his car, he pointed excitedly at the bubbles forming on the windshield. ‘Dad,’ he exclaimed, ‘look how they’re dancing!’ Just then, an old man walked in with a dusty pickup truck. He smiled broadly and said, 'Boys, you do such a good job that even my rusty ol’ truck looks like it’s dancing!' Everyone laughed as the little boy giggled, watching his father's face turn slightly red.

3. One day, an old man parked his car at Autoshine Express and noticed something strange on the conveyor belt—a small, dusty teddy bear with a note attached: ‘Found in a nearby bush. Home sweet home?’ As the car washed past, another worker, a young delivery driver, picked up the bear and joked, 'Maybe it’s the mascot for their new line of eco-friendly soap!' The old man laughed heartily, thinking, ‘What a quirky place.’ When he drove off, he waved goodbye to the bear, who seemed to wave back from its perch on the drying rack—until everyone realized it was just a reflection in the windshield.

4. One night, while Autoshine Express was closed, a neighborhood dog started howling as he approached the empty building. The next morning, workers found a sign taped inside the entrance: ‘Wash Me or I Howl All Night.’ A delivery driver noticed the note and joked, 'I'll clean you up if you stop barking!' The next day, the dog returned with his friends—all dirty from playing in the park. They lined up for their free wash, and ever since then, Autoshine Express has had a special 'Howler Special' on Thursdays.'