Name/Title
Bishop's Car Wash celebrates 30 yearsScope and Content
Newspaper clipping, Bishop's Car Wash celebrates 30 years, taken from Neighbors, October 25, 2008.
Bishop's Car Wash celebrates 30 years.
By HANK SNYDER
WAUPUN - Rohn Bishop and his family have been in the car wash business 30 years.
"We opened Nov. 1, 1978," said Bishop pointing to a wall full of photographs and stories and mementos that trace the history of the building and activities at 732 W. Main St. "I opened with my dad Warren Bishop. When we opened it was called A and A Car Wash. Gas was 67.9 cents a gallon, and a car wash was $2.25."
Bishop said the building he's in was built in 1950 and started out as a Standard gas station.
"In 1964, after being vacant a while, it was turned into a car wash," he said.
Bishop does a full-service car wash, meaning they wash, towel dry, vacuum the inside and even gloss the tires, while the customer waits.
"The whole job takes about 15 minutes," he said.
"Besides having the only full-service car wash in Waupun, Bishop does detailing (washing and polishing and cleaning the interior and engine) and has U-Haul's for rent.
"We also do a lot of dealer's cars," he said.
Lyle Stam of Stam's Auto Body uses Bishop's Car Wash.
"I bring some of my customer's vehicles in, and my own car. He does a nice job," Stam said.
While Bishop works alone five days a week, on Saturdays he often has his wife Krista and sons Rohn Jr. and Tom helping out. On those days there is more of a party atmosphere, and more than one person driving down Main Street has been greeted with a loud "hello" from a Bishop as they drive past.
"My brother Tom and I do help out," said Rohn Jr. "I've helped out at the car-wash since I was a little kid. I started working and getting paid at 12 years old. I ]started out washing, drying, and folding towels, then worked my way up to drying. We also pinch hit for dad when he takes a vacation. Thirty years ago it was my dad and his dad. Today, it's me and my dad, so it really is a family business."
Bishop said, "I enjoy doing this. Customers come in and visit with you. I know most of my customers. I enjoy coming to work every day."
Bishop said he attributes two things to the success of his business. One is because he's been there so long, "People know where we are," and two, "We offer full service - even glossing the tires -nobody does that. We've had to fight for our success. We've had to stay different from everybody else."
Asked if he's likely to be doing the same thing for another 30 years, Bishop said, "That'd be nice." After a pause he added, "I'm not planning on leaving."Acquisition
Accession
2015.0051Source or Donor
Rohn BishopAcquisition Method
Donation
