Quick Quack Car Wash representatives turned up Wednesday morning at a barren corner of the Ceres Gateway Center to turn the first shade of dirt to signal the beginning of construction of a 3,596-square-foot facility.
The project received the approval of the Ceres Planning Commission on Feb. 21 despite some commissioners’ concerns that Ceres has too many car washes already.
The business is being constructed at the northwestern most corner of the triangle-shaped commercial center and closest to the Service Road overpass.
The car wash facility will include a 3,596 square foot building with a three-lane drive-thru operation to accommodate up to 21 vehicles, 19 vacuum stalls,10 parking spaces for employees and visitors and landscaping.
Quick Quack Car Wash is based in Roseville and has operations in Utah, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, and California with over 160 total locations. In 2008, Quick Quack Car Wash was listed on Inc. Magazine’s fastest growing companies. The closest ones are in Brentwood, Elk Grove, Hayward and Hollister.
It is the business’ intent to operate from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily with approximately four employees on site.
In February Commissioner Dave Johnson expressed the feeling that Ceres has too many car washes, a sentiment echoed by Commissioner Bob Kachel who concluded that “The fact that they want to invest in our Ceres is good for us. If we have a lot of car washes here that’s a market issue. I guess it’s up to them to decide if it’s worthwhile for them to be here or not and they feel it is.”
Specializing Marketing Leader Shannon Gauthier told the commission that the car wash industry has changed greatly.
“The advances are so prevalent now that we can really do something very different than what’s been done in the past,” he said. “You do see more of them. And it’s also a convenience. You know when we go out to get our groceries or our lunch or whatever we can stop by and get the car washed easily rather than finding that to be a solo trip. That’s kind of part of that. But it’s a lot about technology and advances.”
He advised the commissioners to try the business, concluding: “You will love it. It’s a whole experience and we’re very proud of it.”
“We’re excited to be a part of the community,” said Shannon.
Also being constructed in the new shopping center are an Ono Hawaiian BBQ restaurant, In N Out Burger, Starbucks and a Chipotle.
Construction began in December on the first phase of the 14-acre Ceres Gateway Center and is expected to be completed by the fall.
The second phase is expected to include a 56,000-square-foot Woodspring Suites extended stay hotel of 122 rooms as well as buildings for three junior anchors.
In 2008 the city approved the Gateway project as proposed by Ralph Ogden. The project stalled after the economy hit the skids that year. Multiple extensions were granted but the project expired in 2012. The center was redesigned and brought back in 2020 by Daniel Ogden.
