Tyler McClure was born and raised in Oconee County, so when it came time to name his new car wash business, he looked no further than his closest friends in the community … the fire department.

“I grew up in this county and have a lot of friends in the local volunteer fire department and some who are firefighters outside of the county,” McClure said. “We were just thinking of a theme to come up with that could, in a way, give back to the community. So, we came up with the theme of Fire Station Express.”

From there, McClure and his design partner set to work creating a location that had all of the feel of different types of fire stations. The aesthetic is spot on, and when you’re at the site, the attention to detail shines through. The 30 vacuum bays are fire engine red and as you pull into the tunnel, the dark black walls and fire themed arches prepare you for an experience complete with lights. The location is built to be a draw.

“There’s nothing else really around in this community that’s real fun for young kids. I wanted to create something where that kid says, mom, I want to go. I want to go through, I want to see the lights,” McClure said. “When they come in, they buy a car wash, we give them a lollipop, and the kids love it. Then they go through and experience the light display. We have over 42 led lights in the ceilings over the arches and throughout the tunnel.”

For this wash, though, because of the desire for a light experience that creates a bigger impact for children and parents coming through the wash, McClure went with black walls inside the tunnel. “I wanted more of a light display and so wanted to get the tunnel as dark as possible,” McClure said. “So those lights really make a difference. Plus, it’s easier to clean the PVC paneling; you don’t notice the dirt being black as much.”

The fire station theme extends beyond the name and look of his wash. With each transaction, customers have the option to donate a dollar to the local volunteer fire department. The wash then matches those donations at the end of the year and makes a contribution. In the first year of business when Fire Station Express opened in 2019, they contributed nearly $2,200 after just three months of operation.

“These guys aren’t getting paid to do this and they’re out there risking their lives, you know? Walking into your house, my house, to help out and save your life,” McClure said. “We just hope that the little bit we do helps, you know? Every little bit helps.”

McClure has started and owns several businesses. Everything from a pine straw sales business, to storage units, to sanitation. Regardless of the business, for him it is always about what he can do for his community. “It’s a tight knit community, you know, and everybody looks out for everybody here,” McClure said. “We want to be able to bring employment to the county, bring revenue to the county and just boost the economy around it.”

With the car wash, there’s been an intense focus on doing things right from the start. They’ve committed to investing in technology with the latest in License Plate Recognition (LPR), chemistry with their ceramic applications, and when you look at the way they built the property, it’s clear they’re thinking ahead. A 152-foot-long tunnel backs that up. “When we designed the building, we talked with a friend in Arizona, Ryan Pfutzenreuter, and he told us to build it big, so we had the space when we needed it,” McClure said. “That way we have plenty of space to be able to add when we need to.”

Results have been strong early on for Fire Station Express. In the first few months of opening, they were up to 900 memberships and are drawing a lot of positive feedback from the community, just the way McClure wants it. “We’re seeing real positive feedback from people,” he said. “We hear ‘It’s a great wash and our kids love the experience’ a lot and people come, and they’ll pay, they won’t be a member, but they’ll come and pay for another wash just to bring their kids through.”

“That’s my biggest thing is the kids,” McClure said. “Seeing them love the experience, the parents and seeing happy customers. That’s really why we’re in it. I mean, we’re in it to make money just like everybody else, but you know, I’m in it for the community and to really make a positive impact and for people coming through, make it a positive experience.”