Keeping It Clean

Not everyone takes Labor Day off.  When I passed by the San Francisco Gas 100% Hand Car Wash on South Spruce Ave on Monday, there was a lineup of cars waiting to go through the wash line.  The queue was staffed by employees who wash the cars by hand with hoses and towels.  Owner Sam Ali, 51, said his business is usually up on warm days—no surprise there, as temperatures were in the 80s and a spray from the hose sounded pretty inviting.  As part of an ongoing series of profiles of local business owners, I asked Ali about what it's like to run a car wash.

Name: Sam Ali

Age: 51

Business: South San Francisco Gas 100% Hand Car Wash

Address: 246 S. Spruce Ave

Number of employees: 10

Services: The menu of services includes a basic car wash by hand for $12.99 and a clay magic wax for $79.99

How old is your business?

I've owned it for four years, but it's been around since the 60s.

You're working on Labor Day.  Do you ever take a day off?

The only days we take off are Christmas and New Year's.  New Year's because my employees might get drunk, and I don't want them driving.

Is the car wash a family business?

I have help from my cousin running the business.  My wife has a travel agency and tax preparation service in the East Bay.  In the winter with the cold weather, the car wash is dead, so she helps me financially.  In the summer, no one's filing taxes, so I help her.

Has the bad economy had an effect on your business?

It's had a big effect.  When I started, business was very good.  Now a lot of people are watching their budget, watching what they're spending on their cars.  My price is reasonable, but they're still complaining.

What's the business climate like in South San Francisco?

The city planner's office is very bad.  They don't want to help small businesses.  I can't put a banner up because they'll complain.  It's hard to see my sign from the street, but I'm only allowed one month out of the year when I can have a banner. They want to get rid of the all the business and bring biotech here.

What does the future look like for the car wash?

I live in Hayward, and I want to sell the business because I'm driving so much every day.  There is money in it, but it's not worth your health.