Forty Years in Fort Worth

Red Carpet Car Wash, founded and operated consistently by the Blakewell family of Fort Worth, celebrates its 40th year anniversary December 8, 2007.

During the 40 years of operation, Red Carpet has provided several million car wash services to countless customers in Fort Worth, while building a loyal customer base and becoming part of the City’s small business legacy.

Due to the rainy season during the 1967 winter, owner/founder H.C. Blakewell (Blake)’s new business got off to a bit of a slow start at its Westside location on Camp Bowie. Fortunately Blake quickly made some updates to the car wash, improving the wash process with a “hot wax” option, adding flashing lights for décor and installing a viewing station so customers’ children were entertained as their cars were cleaned. In 1971 Blake’s youngest son Bob joined Red Carpet, quickly becoming manager of the Fort Worth store. Blake’s older son Jim helped expand the business to Oklahoma City in 1972.

In the 1970s Red Carpet added a restoration detail option and since then has experienced tremendous growth and changes. In the 1980s the “Touchless” wash system was integrated, and most recently, Red Carpet added an express detail service, a full service lube center, and state inspection service.

Today Red Carpet Car Wash in Fort Worth is owned by the second generation Blakewells and operated with 45 employees who have approximately 350 years of combined experience. On average, the company services hundreds of cars weekly and was recently named 2006 “Best Clean for Your Machine Award” from Fort Worth, Texas Magazine.