This Thursday: Brown Bear Car Wash celebrates 55th anniversary with free car washes

Brown Bear tunnel at 16032 Aurora Ave N in Shoreline

Over the last six years, the Seattle-based company has washed over 130,000 cars during its annual "free car wash day"

Brown Bear Car Wash will add sparkle to thousands of cars and trucks on Thursday (August 23) as the Seattle-based, family-owned company offers free washes to celebrate its 55th anniversary. 

Hours for the special one-day event are from 8 am to 8 pm. Brown Bear will be giving away free "Bear Essential" car washes at all of their automated "tunnel wash" locations in the Puget Sound area.

For the past several years, Brown Bear has offered free "Bear Essentials" tunnel washes twice a year. With the annual "Free Wash Day" and Veterans Day events, an astounding 136,743 customers have received Free Washes over the past six years.

"We blend hard work, pride and a lot of fun into an event that benefits our customers and the environment. It's a fitting way to say 'thank you' to our customers who have supported us over the years," said Brown Bear founder and owner Vic Odermat.

Odermat started Brown Bear in Seattle in 1957 with one location at 15th Ave West in Seattle. Brown Bear now owns and operates car washes throughout the Puget Sound area and Spokane.

The family-owned company, through its parent company, Car Wash Enterprises, Inc., owns and operates a total of 41 car wash facilities in Washington State as well as a large network of gas stations and convenience stores. It is one of the largest privately held car wash chains in the U.S. and is widely recognized within the industry as being a leader in the environmental movement.