Beloved North Shore car wash closes after 60+ years

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.



“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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.