Mount Pulaski Community Association hosts ribbon cut for new owners of the Topper Wash car wash

[September 14, 2022]  

The Community Association of Mount Pulaski honored Brett, Sharon and Dixie Holzwarth of Mount Pulaski as the new owners of the Topper Wash car wash with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday.

The Holzwarths purchased the carwash located right off of Illinois Route 121 behind the BP gas station in Mount Pulaski this past May.

According to Michelle Hagenbaugh of the association, the car wash had fallen into disrepair with features such as the vacuum cleaners no longer working. The people of Mount Pulaski were not pleased when they came for a wash, and vacuum, deposited their money only to find that nothing happened.

She noted that since purchasing the wash, the Holzwarths have done a lot of sprucing up around and on the structure, but more than anything, they have done big repairs and now happily every component of the service is in excellent working order.

As the time approached for the ribbon cut, all the guests gathered behind the ribbon with the Holzwarths and members of the association.

Association member Tricia Aylesworth was the spokesperson for the group. She began by thanking all those in attendance, and spoke about the work that has been done at the car wash by the new owners. She noted that in addition to making sure it all worked properly, the family had given the building a clean fresh look that included painting it in the Mount Pulaski Hilltopper’s colors of purple and gold.

The group posed for a photo, then did the traditional countdown.

When the time was right, Dixie did the honors of snipping the ribbon with help from mom and dad.

Brett and Sharon spoke about the acquisition. Brett said that it fit well into their other business, which is called Pressure Washer Warehouse, and located south of Springfield. He said that the family lives in Mount Pulaski and had a desire to own a business locally.

Sharon said that it has been a family affair. She said eight-year-old Dixie was quite excited about it when the family made the purchase. She added that a little of the freshness has worn off for their young daughter, but she is still enthused about coming out and checking the equipment, and has taken personal charge of collecting coins from the vacuum machine.

For those that may recognize the last name, Brett is the son of local aerial spray applicator business owner Chuck Holzwarth. Brett said his father had been to the grand opening event earlier in the day and had congratulated the family, but was heading to Calhoun County for a tractor pull and had to leave before the ribbon cut.

Hagenbaugh also talked after the cut about supporting and promoting local business. She said the association was delighted to see a local owner at the car wash and was hopeful that the community will support the endeavors of the Holzwarths to provide a useful service to the citizens.

She commented that doing business locally is how the community will survive and thrive. She said that the association would like to see more businesses come into the downtown area and hopes local residents will make an effort to do at least some of their shopping in town.

Hagenbaugh noted that we are an online shopping society now days, but when we buy online none of the money we spend stays at home, it all goes somewhere else.

It is her theory that her money spent in town is going to support the owner family and the family of any staff that are employed. She concluded that she thinks about who she is supporting with her dollars. If she buys locally she is providing a piece of the income for a local family, perhaps putting food on the table, clothing for the kids, dance classes, boy scouts or other activities that might not be affordable if Hagenbaugh bought the same items online, sending her dollars out of town, out of the county, and even more than likely out of the state.

After the cut, the Holzwarths hosted an open house style event with a large tent set up for shade, and provided snacks, and cold soft drinks and water.

Congratulations to the family on their new venture, and best of luck in the future.

[Nila Smith]