Tommy's Express Car Wash - Multiple metro locations

S.O.Boy · Post by **S.O.Boy** » Wed May 10, 2023 6:54 pm

Tommy's Express Car Wash - Multiple metro locations

4501 N 72 ST the site of the former METRO HEALTH SERVICES FCU had a sign for what Omaha needs. Tommy's Express Car Wash

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Wed May 10, 2023 10:20 pm

S.O.Boy wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 6:54 pm 4501 N 72 ST the site of the former METRO HEALTH SERVICES FCU had a sign for what Omaha needs. Tommy's Express Car Wash

Jesus. When will there be enough of these?

PWL73316 · Post by **PWL73316** » Thu May 11, 2023 8:54 am

At least cupcake bakeries weren't single-use buildings that will be useless eyesores all over the city for decades to come.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Thu May 11, 2023 11:18 am

PWL73316 wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 8:54 am At least cupcake bakeries weren't single-use buildings that will be useless eyesores all over the city for decades to come.

Agreed, these will be impossible for someone to reuse without demolishing.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Thu May 11, 2023 11:20 am

Although the good thing is, I can't imagine they would be that hard to demolish. Most of them are just a tunnel with cinder block ad glass on the outside.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Thu May 11, 2023 11:25 am

skinzfan23 wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 11:20 am Although the good thing is, I can't imagine they would be that hard to demolish. Most of them are just a tunnel with cinder block ad glass on the outside.

Also true. Part of the reason a lot of 'investors' are dumping their money into these. Low cost to get going, low cost to maintain and staff.

I'm ready for this investor fad to die.

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Thu May 11, 2023 1:18 pm

skinzfan23 wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 11:20 am Although the good thing is, I can't imagine they would be that hard to demolish. Most of them are just a tunnel with cinder block ad glass on the outside.

Ha! It's like you've never seen the NIMBYs in action.

"It's a beautiful, historic example of a classic car wash from the 2020s with it's original classic hoses. They just don't build them like that anymore."

I can see it, because I'm a cynic anymore.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Thu May 11, 2023 3:44 pm

A simple solution

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Thu May 11, 2023 9:06 pm

Love it.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Thu May 11, 2023 9:39 pm

You get a car wash!
And YOU get a car wash!
AND YOU get a car wash!!

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Fri May 12, 2023 7:29 am

car washes are not as cheap to build as you may think...

https://www.carwashadvisory.com/learnin ... d-car-wash

bbinks · Post by **bbinks** » Tue May 16, 2023 7:02 pm

I'd take fewer coffee huts as well. Coffee and car wash >>> profit from water.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Jun 02, 2023 8:51 am

Looks like a Tommy's in front of the Lowes at 180th and West Center.

https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... une/19.pdf

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Sat Jun 03, 2023 11:25 am

Another one of these places is under construction just west of the Costco parking lot on West Dodge, behind Panera.
Thank God! There were only 2 other carwashes within 3 blocks of that Costco!

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Sat Jun 03, 2023 3:15 pm

nativeomahan wrote: Sat Jun 03, 2023 11:25 am Another one of these places is under construction just west of the Costco parking lot on West Dodge, behind Panera.
Thank God! There were only 2 other carwashes within 3 blocks of that Costco!

I know - I don’t know what people would do without more options!

These are like the Mega Saver of car washes… in 5-10 years 30% will be closed

bbinks · Post by **bbinks** » Mon Jun 26, 2023 8:00 pm

skinzfan23 wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 11:20 am Although the good thing is, I can't imagine they would be that hard to demolish. Most of them are just a tunnel with cinder block ad glass on the outside.

This brings back memories of the Fox Photo Huts. A nimble snow plow could have leveled one of those.

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Tue Jun 27, 2023 4:18 am

bbinks wrote: Mon Jun 26, 2023 8:00 pm
skinzfan23 wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 11:20 am Although the good thing is, I can't imagine they would be that hard to demolish. Most of them are just a tunnel with cinder block ad glass on the outside.
This brings back memories of the Fox Photo Huts. A nimble snow plow could have leveled one of those.

Well if you’re in a Delorean as long as you hit 88 mph you’ll fly right through it.

Post by **nebugeater** » Tue Jun 27, 2023 2:33 pm

I have a monthly package for my truck at Tomm'y It works as a good value for me.

The reason I mention this is I went through the Tommy's near 180th & Dodge last weekend and had to take a double take on the vehicle that came through behind me. I actually didn't believe my eyes and had to pull over to make sure I wasn't seeing something incorrectly. Behind me was a very new Lamborghini. Not sure I would run through one of these if that is what I owned. On the other hand, if I owned one, maybe it wouldn't matter.

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Tue Jun 27, 2023 3:40 pm

nebugeater wrote: Tue Jun 27, 2023 2:33 pm I have a monthly package for my truck at Tomm'y It works as a good value for me.

The reason I mention this is I went through the Tommy's near 180th & Dodge last weekend and had to take a double take on the vehicle that came through behind me. I actually didn't believe my eyes and had to pull over to make sure I wasn't seeing something incorrectly. Behind me was a very new Lamborghini. Not sure I would run through one of these if that is what I owned. On the other hand, if I owned one, maybe it wouldn't matter.

I was going to say "no way", because back in the day of me working at a car wash in high school there's no way the wheels would have fit on the track... We couldn't even run Corvettes through it. However these new setups are pretty slick with the rubber track that just pulls the cars along. Suppose you could run a drag strip car through it. LOL

If I was able to own a Lambo, I would NOT be taking it through an automatic car wash. I think things are significantly different for people today, though. As a little kid my dad treated his '83 Mazda RX-7 like it was a Ferrari. Hand washed it every week, only took it out in nice weather, etc. I don't think I saw a single Lamborghini on Omaha streets my entire childhood, probably not even in high school.

damonhynes · Post by **damonhynes** » Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:29 am

nebugeater wrote: Tue Jun 27, 2023 2:33 pm I have a monthly package for my truck at Tomm'y It works as a good value for me.

The reason I mention this is I went through the Tommy's near 180th & Dodge last weekend and had to take a double take on the vehicle that came through behind me. I actually didn't believe my eyes and had to pull over to make sure I wasn't seeing something incorrectly. Behind me was a very new Lamborghini. Not sure I would run through one of these if that is what I owned. On the other hand, if I owned one, maybe it wouldn't matter.

Isn't Woodhouse's Lambo lot over at Village Pointe?

Post by **nebugeater** » Wed Jun 28, 2023 12:00 pm

damonhynes wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:29 am
nebugeater wrote: Tue Jun 27, 2023 2:33 pm I have a monthly package for my truck at Tomm'y It works as a good value for me.

The reason I mention this is I went through the Tommy's near 180th & Dodge last weekend and had to take a double take on the vehicle that came through behind me. I actually didn't believe my eyes and had to pull over to make sure I wasn't seeing something incorrectly. Behind me was a very new Lamborghini. Not sure I would run through one of these if that is what I owned. On the other hand, if I owned one, maybe it wouldn't matter.
Isn't Woodhouse's Lambo lot over at Village Pointe?

Yes, it is, and I thought about that. Wish I had looked at the back to see if there was a plate on it.

S.O.Boy · Post by **S.O.Boy** » Sat Aug 05, 2023 5:36 pm

They aren't wasting time. The Credit Union building is gone.

Post by **nebugeater** » Sun Aug 06, 2023 5:49 am

S.O.Boy wrote: Sat Aug 05, 2023 5:36 pm They aren't wasting time. The Credit Union building is gone.

where?

S.O.Boy · Post by **S.O.Boy** » Tue Aug 08, 2023 9:46 pm

nebugeater wrote: Sun Aug 06, 2023 5:49 am
S.O.Boy wrote: Sat Aug 05, 2023 5:36 pm They aren't wasting time. The Credit Union building is gone.
where?

72 & Ames

Post by **Brad** » Tue Aug 15, 2023 6:19 pm

Tommy’s Express sign up in the Canfield Plaza near 84th and Center. Looks like it will be on the North West end of the property.

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Wed Aug 16, 2023 8:14 am

Brad wrote: Tue Aug 15, 2023 6:19 pm Tommy’s Express sign up in the Canfield Plaza near 84th and Center. Looks like it will be on the North West end of the property.

That probably shouldn't hurt anything in that location (as far as land value goes). That strip has struggled for years, IMO.

Post by **Brad** » Tue May 07, 2024 4:16 pm

Noticed today there is a Tommy's sign up at 108th and Giles on the North East corner.

Post by **nebugeater** » Wed May 08, 2024 6:03 am

The Tommy's Web site currently shows these locations as coming soon in this area.

4922 S. 202nd Ave. (Aprox 204th & Q)
There was a sign up for Comming soon across the hyway from this location that is being built long before this construction was started. I believe the sign is still there even though one was added for this location as ground was broken.

10779 Hillcrest Dr. (LaVista approx 108th & Giles)

8425 W. Center Rd

4501 N. 72nd St

11 Hyvee Drive ( Council Bluffs)

8420 Adams St ( Lincoln)

https://tommys-express.com/locations/?g ... U_EALw_wcB

S.O.Boy · Post by **S.O.Boy** » Fri Jul 05, 2024 11:46 pm

S.O.Boy wrote: Tue Aug 08, 2023 9:46 pm
nebugeater wrote: Sun Aug 06, 2023 5:49 am
S.O.Boy wrote: Sat Aug 05, 2023 5:36 pm They aren't wasting time. The Credit Union building is gone.
where?
72 & Ames

This location appears dead. The bank is removed, but a for sale is on the land.

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Mon Jul 08, 2024 8:13 am

I noticed the coming soon sign for 180th & Harrison was removed (or the sign is simply missing). Is this no longer a future location?

It's been mentioned several times but this car wash boom literally is "blowing" my mind. Just the other day we took some roads we don't travel on regularly and I drove by a Club Carwash and some other branded location I've never seen in the area (think the one on 370 near Werner Park was something I've never heard of).

I understand it's mostly an automated business, but can they really be that profitable? The overhead has to be crazy high - expensive real estate, expensive equipment, I'm sure their utilities have to be quite costly (power and water). I seriously don't get it - plus I have a lot of friends and family that simply won't drive their cars through brush car washes. Granted, I think one of the chains (can't recall if it was Tommy's or Rocket) told me once that you can tell them to turn off the brushes before you go through it.

Post by **nebugeater** » Mon Jul 08, 2024 8:43 am

djc311 wrote: Mon Jul 08, 2024 8:13 am I noticed the coming soon sign for 180th & Harrison was removed (or the sign is simply missing). Is this no longer a future location?

It's been mentioned several times but this car wash boom literally is "blowing" my mind. Just the other day we took some roads we don't travel on regularly and I drove by a Club Carwash and some other branded location I've never seen in the area (think the one on 370 near Werner Park was something I've never heard of).

I understand it's mostly an automated business, but can they really be that profitable? The overhead has to be crazy high - expensive real estate, expensive equipment, I'm sure their utilities have to be quite costly (power and water). I seriously don't get it - plus I have a lot of friends and family that simply won't drive their cars through brush car washes. Granted, I think one of the chains (can't recall if it was Tommy's or Rocket) told me once that you can tell them to turn off the brushes before you go through it.

The one along 370 that you are likely referring to is likely the H&H Shine Shop. It is one of a kind as far as I know and operates as a stand-alone but part of the H&H family. I drive by it fairly often. compared to the others it NEVER seems busy

https://www.hhshineshop.com/

As far as shutting off the brushes in a Tommy's or Rocket, they may be able to do that, but for sure, I can't see how it would clean anything as they are not designed to work with spray along.. There are definitely brush types that I have and do avoid, but the tech has evolved, and the types mentioned are not the same concern to me. The ones I will not use are where you park in a stall, and the brushes go around you. They are mostly more of a bristle and not the cloth that the new tunnels are using

I was reading/watching a national story about this surge and the opinion of the story is that this works because of the subscription model.

GenX · Post by **GenX** » Sun Jul 14, 2024 5:38 pm

nebugeater wrote: Mon Jul 08, 2024 8:43 am
djc311 wrote: Mon Jul 08, 2024 8:13 am I noticed the coming soon sign for 180th & Harrison was removed (or the sign is simply missing). Is this no longer a future location?

It's been mentioned several times but this car wash boom literally is "blowing" my mind. Just the other day we took some roads we don't travel on regularly and I drove by a Club Carwash and some other branded location I've never seen in the area (think the one on 370 near Werner Park was something I've never heard of).

I understand it's mostly an automated business, but can they really be that profitable? The overhead has to be crazy high - expensive real estate, expensive equipment, I'm sure their utilities have to be quite costly (power and water). I seriously don't get it - plus I have a lot of friends and family that simply won't drive their cars through brush car washes. Granted, I think one of the chains (can't recall if it was Tommy's or Rocket) told me once that you can tell them to turn off the brushes before you go through it.
The one along 370 that you are likely referring to is likely the H&H Shine Shop. It is one of a kind as far as I know and operates as a stand-alone but part of the H&H family. I drive by it fairly often. compared to the others it NEVER seems busy

https://www.hhshineshop.com/

As far as shutting off the brushes in a Tommy's or Rocket, they may be able to do that, but for sure, I can't see how it would clean anything as they are not designed to work with spray along.. There are definitely brush types that I have and do avoid, but the tech has evolved, and the types mentioned are not the same concern to me. The ones I will not use are where you park in a stall, and the brushes go around you. They are mostly more of a bristle and not the cloth that the new tunnels are using

I was reading/watching a national story about this surge and the opinion of the story is that this works because of the subscription model.

To expand on the topic: Touchless and Contact washes use completely different chemicals.

I enjoy detailing on the side and recently came across a new line of products from a German company called Koch-Chemmie. The stuff is amazing and they make car wash chemicals too. Different stuff for different applications. Worth looking up if you’re into that kinda thing.

Post by **nebugeater** » Tue Oct 29, 2024 8:13 am

The Tommy's being built at the North Streams (Hwy 6 & Q) development has seemed to be on pause. Other than contractors there for a couple of days about ten days ago, I am guessing I have not seen any activity for six weeks. I drive by daily, and it has become a check-in point for me to watch progress after it seemed like progress had stopped.

I heard rumors that there was an issue getting steel, and that is what looks like it will be next. That being said, with all the other construction going on everywhere, there doesn't seem to be a trend in the lack of steel.

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Tue Oct 29, 2024 8:23 am

nebugeater wrote: Tue Oct 29, 2024 8:13 am The Tommy's being built at the North Streams (Hwy 6 & Q) development has seemed to be on pause. Other than contractors there for a couple of days about ten days ago, I am guessing I have not seen any activity for six weeks. I drive by daily, and it has become a check-in point for me to watch progress after it seemed like progress had stopped.

I heard rumors that there was an issue getting steel, and that is what looks like it will be next. That being said, with all the other construction going on everywhere, there doesn't seem to be a trend in the lack of steel.

This is the one next door to the new(er) McDonald's, right?

What are they going to do with the sign on the west side of 204th that says "Tommy's Coming Soon"? I would have to think at this time even though car washes are taking over Omaha, they don't need one on each side of the road at the same intersection (especially where there's a traffic signal already present).

I would also think they must have shut down the one at 180th & Harrison altogether as the coming soon sign was removed months ago. I thought at one point it was getting marked with stakes, but obviously not. Perhaps that was going to be a Rocket... honestly, I can't keep track. It's worse than Scooters vs. Starbucks.

Post by **nebugeater** » Tue Oct 29, 2024 8:27 am

djc311 wrote: Tue Oct 29, 2024 8:23 am
nebugeater wrote: Tue Oct 29, 2024 8:13 am The Tommy's being built at the North Streams (Hwy 6 & Q) development has seemed to be on pause. Other than contractors there for a couple of days about ten days ago, I am guessing I have not seen any activity for six weeks. I drive by daily, and it has become a check-in point for me to watch progress after it seemed like progress had stopped.

I heard rumors that there was an issue getting steel, and that is what looks like it will be next. That being said, with all the other construction going on everywhere, there doesn't seem to be a trend in the lack of steel.
This is the one next door to the new(er) McDonald's, right?

What are they going to do with the sign on the west side of 204th that says "Tommy's Coming Soon"? I would have to think at this time even though car washes are taking over Omaha, they don't need one on each side of the road at the same intersection (especially where there's a traffic signal already present).

I would also think they must have shut down the one at 180th & Harrison altogether as the coming soon sign was removed months ago. I thought at one point it was getting marked with stakes, but obviously not. Perhaps that was going to be a Rocket... honestly, I can't keep track. It's worse than Scooters vs. Starbucks.

Yes, that is the one.

As I understand it, they first planned to be on the development on the other side but moved to where they are building now because it would happen sooner. For the life of me, I cannot understand why the sign has not come down.

180th & Harrison was going to be a Tommy's

There was a Tommy's on the plans near HyVee / Fleet Farm too for a while. Never saw a sign go up but it was on the development web site images. It is not there now either.

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Tue Oct 29, 2024 10:13 am

nebugeater wrote: Tue Oct 29, 2024 8:27 am
djc311 wrote: Tue Oct 29, 2024 8:23 am
nebugeater wrote: Tue Oct 29, 2024 8:13 am The Tommy's being built at the North Streams (Hwy 6 & Q) development has seemed to be on pause. Other than contractors there for a couple of days about ten days ago, I am guessing I have not seen any activity for six weeks. I drive by daily, and it has become a check-in point for me to watch progress after it seemed like progress had stopped.

I heard rumors that there was an issue getting steel, and that is what looks like it will be next. That being said, with all the other construction going on everywhere, there doesn't seem to be a trend in the lack of steel.
This is the one next door to the new(er) McDonald's, right?

What are they going to do with the sign on the west side of 204th that says "Tommy's Coming Soon"? I would have to think at this time even though car washes are taking over Omaha, they don't need one on each side of the road at the same intersection (especially where there's a traffic signal already present).

I would also think they must have shut down the one at 180th & Harrison altogether as the coming soon sign was removed months ago. I thought at one point it was getting marked with stakes, but obviously not. Perhaps that was going to be a Rocket... honestly, I can't keep track. It's worse than Scooters vs. Starbucks.
Yes, that is the one.

As I understand it, they first planned to be on the development on the other side but moved to where they are building now because it would happen sooner. For the life of me, I cannot understand why the sign has not come down.

180th & Harrison was going to be a Tommy's

There was a Tommy's on the plans near HyVee / Fleet Farm too for a while. Never saw a sign go up but it was on the development web site images. It is not there now either.

It wouldn't surprise me if Tommy's went on the west side of 192nd by the Fleet Farm, even though Rocket is nearly finished in front of HyVee.

I also thought Chick-fil-A was a done deal in front of Fleet Farm, but it's not on the development map. The last map I saw was updated 7/25. It did have the Arby's under construction and the Starbucks next to McDonald's. Maybe they backed out with both of those places already going in - McDonald's and Arby's both have chicken options and IMO they're all lumped into about the same pot as far as quality goes (especially for the price).

damonhynes · Post by **damonhynes** » Wed Oct 30, 2024 9:36 am

nebugeater wrote: Mon Jul 08, 2024 8:43 am

The one along 370 that you are likely referring to is likely the H&H Shine Shop. It is one of a kind as far as I know and operates as a stand-alone but part of the H&H family. I drive by it fairly often. compared to the others it NEVER seems busy

https://www.hhshineshop.com/

Which is why that was my favored carwash (closest to Springfield, too). They're as good as anyone, with no waiting.

Post by **nebugeater** » Wed Oct 30, 2024 10:27 am

damonhynes wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 9:36 am
nebugeater wrote: Mon Jul 08, 2024 8:43 am

The one along 370 that you are likely referring to is likely the H&H Shine Shop. It is one of a kind as far as I know and operates as a stand-alone but part of the H&H family. I drive by it fairly often. compared to the others it NEVER seems busy

https://www.hhshineshop.com/

Which is why that was my favored carwash (closest to Springfield, too). They're as good as anyone, with no waiting.

I use Tommy's with a subscription for my truck. One reason is they have a Fremont location, and that is where I work. I have only used the H&H one once, and it was fine. I do not care for the Rocket washes and have used them multiple times.

Very rarely do I have a wait at the Tommy's that I go to other than maybe one or two cars.

A side note: I was in Norfolk a few weeks ago for a Friday night High school football game to photograph, and I was there early enough that I went through the Tommy's there. It was the same as all of them, EXCEPTED it is shoehorned into a lot that was hardly big enough. The flow in and out and the turns you needed to make made it interesting.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Oct 30, 2024 1:53 pm

nebugeater wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2024 10:27 am A side note: I was in Norfolk a few weeks ago for a Friday night High school football game to photograph, and I was there early enough that I went through the Tommy's there.

Fremont, Norfolk and Columbus were all built about the same time. I had to go photograph all three of them last year.

Post by **nebugeater** » Wed Nov 06, 2024 5:53 am

nebugeater wrote: Tue Oct 29, 2024 8:13 am The Tommy's being built at the North Streams (Hwy 6 & Q) development has seemed to be on pause. Other than contractors there for a couple of days about ten days ago, I am guessing I have not seen any activity for six weeks. I drive by daily, and it has become a check-in point for me to watch progress after it seemed like progress had stopped.

I heard rumors that there was an issue getting steel, and that is what looks like it will be next. That being said, with all the other construction going on everywhere, there doesn't seem to be a trend in the lack of steel.

When I went by on my way home last night, it looked like they were going to get restarted. Two semis with loads of steal on them were parked, two Telehandlers were sitting there ready to go, and a shipping container that was new to the site, which I am guessing is the "tool kit" for the ironworkers to set the steal.