Town Center car wash keeps three tons of oil and debris out of Lake Washington each year

The Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce has recognized the Auto Spa as the city’s 2009 Business of the Year. The Chamber announced the news at its monthly luncheon last Thursday. Company owner Suzanne Skone expressed delight at the news.

“It’s obviously a great honor. I’m thrilled, and I’m also thrilled on behalf of my employees. They’re the ones who make it happen,” Skone said.

The Auto Spa opened in the Town Center on 80th Avenue S.E. in 1995. Since then, it has been serving the Mercer Island community in more than one way. The Auto Spa is not simply a car wash. It’s more.

“We’re in a unique situation. We do three things: customer service, support the community through fundraising, and we also have an opportunity to protect the environment,” Skone said, explaining that the Auto Spa is an eco-friendly enterprise. “Car washes keep dirt and toxins from going down storm drains. All the dirty water goes to a treatment facility. It doesn’t go into Lake Washington.”

These three qualities that Skone mentioned are what makes the Auto Spa stand out as the 2009 Business of the Year.

“It is estimated that the Auto Spa keeps about three tons of sediment, oil and grease out of Lake Washington every year,” reads a chamber press release — a statement that Skone, who has a degree in environmental science, corroborated.

The chamber also highlighted the Auto Spa’s devotion to supporting Mercer Island schools and community organizations.

“They give every new school district employee a free car wash when they join the staff. In addition, they give the entire high school staff a free car wash for staff appreciation week. They donate car washes and detailing services to the French American School, St. Monica’s and the JCC, as well as other nonprofits,” the letter read. “Most importantly, they encourage fundraising car washes at the Auto Spa by high school booster clubs, sports teams and clubs.”

Indeed, it is a common sight to see students waving “car wash” signs outside the Auto Spa throughout the year, as the company sponsors about one fundraising event each month, Skone said.

“We’re promoting kids to come here and raise money because it’s a cleaner option than a normal car wash,” she explained.

The chamber also acknowledged Skone’s individual contribution to the community. The Islander is an active member of Communities that Care and the school district’s Key Communications Committee. She has also served on the board of the Chamber and will be president of the Chamber in 2010.

The Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year award recognizes a merchant that has “made a significant impact on the vitality of the business community and contributed to the well-being of the greater Mercer Island community.” A committee made up of a community member, chamber board member, a past honoree and the chamber director chose the business to be honored. This is the Chamber’s sixth year delivering the award. Previous winners include Island Books, Mercer Island Florist, Albertsons, Tatters and last year’s winner, QFC.