Lakewood Car Wash: Building Community One Clean Car at a Time

Shakouri and his family have a long history in the construction business, but the best thing they’ve built, says Shakouri who owns the Lakewood Car Wash, is a relationship with the community of Lakewood. The car wash itself has been around since the 1950s, but it has gone through its share of owners.

Alex

Twelve years ago, Shakouri and his family decided to invest in a car wash – and immediately fell in love with the history and legacy behind the Lakewood Car Wash, which used to be known as the Lakewood Car Wash South. Fast forward to today, the Shakouri’s have rebranded the car wash as the Lakewood Car Wash & Detail Center. Every month, more than 6,000 vehicles go through the Lakewood Car Wash – and sometimes sees more, and sometimes sees less, depending on the California weather, Shakouri says.

The Lakewood Car Wash, however, isn’t your typical car wash. Shakouri says that he and his family never knew how amazing it could feel to be a part of a community, the way they feel about being in the City of Lakewood. “I don’t know who wouldn’t want to grow as a business, be supported by your community and not want to give back,” said Shakouri. “This community, and people from surrounding communities, have supported us from day one, so it was a given for us to give back.”

In their first year, the Lakewood Car Wash in 2011 sponsored a fundraiser for the Weingart YMCA and offered to pay the foundation $1 for every car they washed in one day. Cars were washed for free and in one day, the Lakewood Car Wash, washed 1,052 cars. The rest has been history, says Shakouri, adding that since then, the Lakewood Car Wash on a monthly basis, sponsors and or fundraises for different community organizations and youth groups. “My family and I believe that what goes around, comes around, so as a small business, you should always look for ways to support the community that surrounds you,” he said.

While Shakouri is also a brand new dad, giving back to children’s and youth organizations also now means a little bit more. “I’ve always loved giving back to groups or events that benefit children, like Project Lakewood, or the Lakewood Village Little League and the YMCA,” he says, adding that as of late, he can’t get enough of his brand new baby girl. “My family and I have been very fortunate, so giving back makes us all happy.”

The Lakewood Car Wash has also been a long-time member of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce. “As a small business, it has always been important to my family to be connected to the City on all levels,” Shakouri says.

The Lakewood Car Wash & Detail Center is a full-service car wash, but also offers an Express Wash for drivers who don’t have time for a full-service.

Shakouri has also added an Unlimited Wash Program on his menu of services – which he believes the community loves.

Shakouri credits his involvement with the community to being able to offer services that are 100 percent based on the community’s needs. “When you talk to people, and get to know them, and get to know their car washing needs, you’re not just looking for ways to grow your business, but you’re also building relationships with the community – letting them know that you’re looking for ways to better serve them, too.” As a family-owned business, Shakouri says that he would also like to let people know that as a car wash in SoCal, he and his family have also taken measures to reduce water use and to lower their carbon footprint.”

The City of Lakewood is a second home for him and his family. He said they love the small-town feel that Lakewood has. Whenever he meets new visitors to Lakewood, Shakouri of course encourages them to wash their car at the Lakewood Car Wash, but also, to not leave without visiting the Lakewood Center Mall.

“We pride ourselves in being a family-run business, with an emphasis on the word family because it feels like we are part of the Lakewood family, too. Being involved has always been important to me and my family, and honestly, I don’t see that changing, not as long I am around.”

The best advice Shakouri says he could give anyone looking to open up a business is to find a small city that cares about its businesses and to look for ways to build partnerships with the City that supports you. “Always give that support back when you can,” he adds. “Always remember that what you give will come back to you in a thousand ways, but most importantly, in the form of being a part of something great, like a second family.”