Bergen County Residents Receive a Grand Upgrade & Clean Conscience at the Eco-Friendly Classic Auto Spa & Express Care
Ramsey, New Jersey – Bergen County residents have a grand upgrade for their car care with the opening of Classic Auto Spa & Express Care on Route 17 in Ramsey.
From eco-activists to Wall Street elite this car wash and auto care center has it all. This ultra car wash helps in preserving the environment while offering business savvy creature comforts such as free Wi-Fi, gourmet coffee, leather chairs and a traditional candy store.
Classic Auto Spa has revolutionized the meaning behind customer care. The owners, Tom Masterson and his brother Rich Masterson, have partnered to create an impressive, all encompassing “green” wash. Combining eco-friendly ingredients with a water saving design, Classic Auto Spa has made being eco- friendly “eco easy” for Bergen County customers.
The environmental commitment began with the demolition of the former property on the site. Rather than adding the remains of the previous building to an over-polluted landfill, the Masterson Brothers used a state-of-the-art “quarry processing” machine that chopped debris and other items into small pieces to recycle the old building.
The material extracted was added to the new fill site, generating an ideal, flattened car wash site.
“When you come to the Classic Auto Spa, you are, quite literally, standing on top of the old building,” said Rich Masterson.
From eco-activists to Wall Street elite this car wash and auto care center has it all. This ultra car wash helps in preserving the environment while offering business savvy creature comforts such as free Wi-Fi, gourmet coffee, leather chairs and a traditional candy store.
Classic Auto Spa has revolutionized the meaning behind customer care. The owners, Tom Masterson and his brother Rich Masterson, have partnered to create an impressive, all encompassing “green” wash. Combining eco-friendly ingredients with a water saving design, Classic Auto Spa has made being eco- friendly “eco easy” for Bergen County customers.
The environmental commitment began with the demolition of the former property on the site. Rather than adding the remains of the previous building to an over-polluted landfill, the Masterson Brothers used a state-of-the-art “quarry processing” machine that chopped debris and other items into small pieces to recycle the old building.
The material extracted was added to the new fill site, generating an ideal, flattened car wash site.
“When you come to the Classic Auto Spa, you are, quite literally, standing on top of the old building,” said Rich Masterson.
In addition to outdoor heating, leather seating, high definition television and classic tunes, Classic Auto Spa also reduces the waiting customer’s carbon footprint. Every ounce of oil removed from a customer’s car during a “lube and oil change” is saved, processed and recycled to heat the entire building.
But the eco commitment does not stop at the oil change facility. In the car wash 95 percent of the water is reclaimed, recycled and reused. In fact, most people are unaware of how much H20 is wasted when relying upon a simple driveway hose to wash their car.
“Often the driveway runoff runs into the street or sewers,” said Tom Masterson. “This water flows untreated into local lakes and streams and can be harmful to the environment.”
Backing up that fact is the International Car Wash Association, which states that one of the biggest benefits from professional car wash reclamation systems may be the reduction in pollutant loading from the grit, and road film washed off the cars and collected in the reclaim tanks and filters.
Periodically those contaminants are professionally collected and recycled at full service car washes. This process virtually eliminates the pollution associated with driveway car washing.
Besides conserving water and recycling oil Classic Auto Spa has preserved a piece of the highway’s history. The location at 506 Route 17 North was once a tiny 1900’s service station with a single gas pump and tool shed.
It then became a prominent neighborhood-friendly scuba diving store with a massive “SCUBA” sign projecting from the lawn; the large “I” and “M” Stood for the original owner, Ivar Martin.
The sign became a landmark for generations of Route 17 commuters.
In 1994 Masterson Pools purchased the historic spot and it thrived for the last 15 years as a prominent pool construction and service business.
Come 2006, Tom and Rich Masterson made another trail blazing move, relocating Masterson Pools next door and demolishing the site with plans to construct an eco-friendly car wash. Rich quips that his brother must be near water, whether it’s a swimming pool or car wash.
Retaining this “classic” theme, the Masterson Brothers even refurbished the memorable concrete-filled “I&M” sign. Now standing as “Classic Auto Spa,” its background splashed in royal blue, the large “M” still projects from the top welcoming motorists as a renewed Route 17 landmark.
The safety of the site is accomplished through ingenious design and architecture. Built like a raceway, the winding driveway can safely queue up to 56 vehicles, an important feature for motorists who wish to avoid the dangers of backing up onto Route 17.
The stone entrance doubles as a retaining wall protecting queuing motorists. Additionally the site design provides an emergency exit option onto Brookside Road in the event of unpredictable Route 17 closures.
From safety, beauty, and convenience perspectives this new auto spa has certainly set a new standard of sincere customer care. Tom Masterson reports car wash operators from as far away as Connecticut have visited to admire the design.
Having been open for only three months, the Masterson brother’s “green” dreams have just begun.
Aspiring for 100 percent utility independence, Tom and Rich are actively seeking cost effective measures to employ solar panels and possibly wind power in the near future.
“As a new grandfather, I feel a sense of obligation to be responsible to our future generations,” said Tom Masterson.
With all the luxuries the 21st Century can offer, Classic Auto Spa has definitely engaged the eco-engine, minimized its carbon footprint and married it to a compelling business model.
The Classic Auto Spa is a sterling example of responsible business planning mixed with “eco” engineering. The combination of disciplines comes together as a customer friendly, environmentally sound, beautiful balance. For customers seeking a clean car, Classic Auto Spa delivers that as well as a “clean conscience.”
Classic Auto Spa is open seven days a week offering car washes, Valvoline Oil and Lube Services, and a wide array of detailing options. For additional information, call 201-327-6666, or visit the Classic Auto Spa web site at http://www.theclassicautospa.com/.
Media Contact: Jim DeLorenzo; 215-564-1122; jim@jhdenterprises.com