Birmingham Community Says Goodbye to Longstanding Car Wash
Birmingham—A cherished part of the city’s downtown landscape has closed its doors after more than three decades in business. Etheridge Senior Car Wash, located at 1600 3rd Ave N, officially shut down on October 25, leaving not only a physical void but an emotional one for many loyal customers.
Co-owners April Pritchett-White and Ashley Pritchett announced the closure in a heartfelt message on their social media page, stating, “After 31 wonderful years, we regret to announce that we will be closing our doors. The evolving economy and challenges in hiring have made it increasingly difficult for us to continue operating at the level of excellence you have come to expect.”
The sisters reflected on their family history with the car wash, a business launched by their grandfather, Willie T. Etheridge, in 1993. “Serving the community, helping people who were just getting back on their feet… We’ve been going down there since we were little,” April shared, expressing her sadness at leaving a place where they built countless memories.
Customer Reactions
Last week, many customers made one final trip to Etheridge Senior Car Wash for a last wash and detail. Daijah Bell, a Birmingham resident, shared her experience, saying, “I’ve been coming to the car wash for about 10 years. Every time I left, my car looked brand new. There was consistent attention to detail. I will also miss the community. You never know who you’ll meet while there.”
Another longtime patron, Anita Davis, voiced her concern about the future. “What are we going to do? They do such a good job. It’s like you just bought your car off the showroom floor,” she said, lamenting to find a replacement service her family could rely on.
Challenges Faced
Running a business isn’t always smooth sailing, and the sisters detailed the challenges that led to their closure. They noted a significant drop in staff numbers, mentioning that the business went from 14 employees just before the pandemic to only two before they closed their doors. Ashley explained, “We had to adjust our hours. We were Monday through Saturday. We lost some workers and then we changed to Tuesday to Saturday.”
As a small but steadfast operation, the sisters often found themselves washing cars alongside their dedicated team. “Sometimes I can have 30 cars, and I, with my hands, wash 25 of those 30 cars. That’s how short we’ve been lately,” Ashley explained.
A Legacy of Hard Work
April and Ashley grew up immersed in the family business, which not only included the car wash but also several barbershops and beauty salons. They have strong memories of spending time at the car wash growing up. “We were like barbershop and beauty shop kids,” Ashley joked. The business has been a labor of love for both sisters, who took over the car wash after their mother’s passing in 2017.
As the sisters prepare to turn the page on this chapter of their lives, Ashley is pursuing a nursing degree at Lawson State Community College, while April works at Blue Cross Blue Shield. Both sisters are planning to focus on personal adventures and the joys of life that were set aside during their years managing the car wash.
The Community’s Farewell
As they stepped back from the business, the community showed its appreciation. Jennifer Tiehen, a resident of McCalla, regularly brought her car to Etheridge after discovering it through a Google search. “The work was so good that we regularly brought our personal cars here,” she remarked, indicating the high-quality service they provided.
Ralph Woodfin, another loyal customer, echoed similar sentiments: “I’ve had my vehicles washed here on several occasions, and they have always done an excellent job. I’m not happy to see this Black business leave but I do think we need to continue to support Black businesses in the area.”
The closure of Etheridge Senior Car Wash serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by small businesses, especially those that have deep roots in the community. As Birmingham bids farewell to this beloved car wash, many residents will undoubtedly carry their memories into the future, cherishing a little piece of local history that has come to an end.
