Beloved North Shore car wash closes after 60+ years
Posted October 6, 2023 10:28 am.
Last Updated July 15, 2024 6:15 am.
A landmark North Shore business soaped up its last vehicle last week.
After more than 60 years in service, the retro Four Seasons Oasis Car Wash closed its last location on Marine Drive, citing rising costs as the reason for the move.
A landmark North Shore business has soaped up its last vehicle!
After more than 60 years, the Four Season Oasis Car Wash has closed its last location.
The owner says the high cost of property taxes, insurance, materials and labour made it “impossible to stay afloat.” pic.twitter.com/3T3oWlXV6L— Mike Lloyd (@llikemoyd) October 6, 2023
“It is the sign of the times,” owner Steve Daniels said in a statement on its website.
“The cost of keeping a small business afloat just doesn’t exist anymore. The high cost of property taxes, insurance, materials, and especially labour make it impossible to stay afloat.”
The original Oasis was started by Elgin and Helen Arnold in Burnaby, back in 1952.
The best 20 hand wash in the city since 1952 tho @oasis car wash pic.twitter.com/IMEShUd7jx
— @CanucksGMtho™ (@cyclefixation) March 6, 2023
Helen Arnold is the same Helen behind another unshakeable Lower Mainland business, Helen’s Children’s Wear in Burnaby’s Hastings Heights.
In 1967, the Arnolds opened the Marine Drive location, with the couple running the location until 2011, when Elgin passed away.
#NorthVancouver #retro Oasis Car Wash #iconic pic.twitter.com/jzf2vrPE7z
— Samantha Collier (@samtaracollier) October 21, 2020
In 2019, just shy of 100 years old, Helen passed away, leaving long-time employee Daniels to take over the company.
“It is with great sadness that the vision Steve has tried to carry on, from Elgin and Helen, must end.
“Thank you to our employees for helping to keep our business going. Nothing but best wishes for your future,” Daniels said on behalf of the company.
