by Richard Prior
Staff Writer
This may not be the Deal of the Century, but it’s close.
Leave your car at the Adam’s Mark Hotel parking garage, from 30 minutes to all day, and have it returned as clean as a surgeon’s fingertips.
For $10.
There’s a strong possibility the offer soon will include lunch at the Adam’s Mark, for a total package price of $25.
“It’s a good deal, and we do a good job,” said Lavonya Small. “Our customers have all been happy, and we’re glad they are. We don’t want them to come only once.”
Lavonya Small and her husband, Louis, began operating Small’s Detail & Car Shoppe the first of February, as the winter wind was baring its teeth coming off the St. Johns River.
“It can be real cold in the morning with the wind coming off the river,” said Lavonya. “It takes longer to thaw out, that’s for sure.”
“You just have to warm up,” said Louis, downplaying the swirling cold air.
The Smalls manage to stay warm by staying busy, putting a showcase sheen on an average of eight cars a day.
They also work other jobs. From 2 p.m. to midnight or later, Louis is a chef for the Riverfront restaurant and banquets at the Adam’s Mark. Lavonya works part-time at a store in The Avenues Mall.
“Time sure flies by,” said Lavonya. “Working two jobs, you sometimes forget what day it is.”
“Sunday is the only day we don’t work,” said Louis. “Sunday is church day.”
Management at the hotel said employees and customers thought a car wash would be a good idea. Louis had the experience and was asked to start it.
Lavonya was unknowingly getting some experience of her own when she got a new car nine years ago.
“It was a white car, and it had a special paint on it,” she said. “I wouldn’t let anybody touch it. I used to wash it myself, inside and out.”
Now that they’re in the business themselves, the Smalls pay particular attention to the car washes they pass on the road.
“They just jump out at us now,” said Lavonya. “I think we have some pretty good prices. We’re not out to break people. We want our customers to know we’ve done a thorough job and to be happy with the job.
“We want them to tell other people.”
At first, Lavonya doubted there would be enough business to keep them busy.
“I asked my husband, once you do all the Adam’s Mark employees, who’s left?” she said. “I never would have thought . . . Even with only word of mouth, it’s been a pretty good turnout.”
The Smalls are at their job by 8 a.m. and only take 15 or 20 minutes off for lunch. By maintaining that pace, they can realistically handle 10 cars a day.
Of course, size and condition of the car can slow them down.
“Maybe the car hasn’t been washed in a while,” said Lavonya. “Some couples have kids who leave their food wrappers on the floor.
“Some customers will warn us. They’ll say, ‘Just give it all you’ve got. Do what you can for it.’ ”
Cars get washed inside and out. Windows are thoroughly cleaned; the inside is vacuumed. Floor mats in the front and back are taken out to be swept off and scrubbed clean. Customers who ask for the additional service have the mats and dashboard treated with ArmorAll.
Only the size of the vehicle affects the cost. Trucks cost $15; SUVs are $30. Drivers who have their cars washed 10 times in six months get the 11th wash free.
Some customers leave their cars while they go to lunch or attend a meeting in a nearby office building. Some leave them all day.
“They tell us when they’re coming back, and we’ll make sure to have it done for them,” said Lavonya.
With spring coming, the Smalls expect even more business.
“We’re trying to find a few people who might be interested in working up here, helping us out,” said Lavonya. “When the weather gets warmer, we’re going to have more cars to clean.”
The couple could use the help.
“On the days when we might have 10 cars, I tell my husband, ‘I don’t even need to go to the Y for a workout,’ ” said Lavonya. “‘I feel like I had that already.’”