In 1976, the R&B funk band Rose Royce released what would quickly become an unforgettable hit: the irresistibly upbeat and instantly recognizable song “Car Wash.” With its lively handclaps, bright horns, and playful lyrics about the characters you might meet while working at a car wash, the track captures a lively slice of everyday life. It is exactly the kind of soundtrack you could imagine playing in the background as we talk about Big Irv’s Car Wash on West 38th Avenue.
In 2023, LoHi resident Mike Irvine had been contemplating a change in his life after the technology company he worked for began slowing down. While driving along West 38th Avenue, he noticed that the car wash, once known as the “50 Cent Car Wash” and later rebranded as “Scrubbles”, had a For Sale sign posted out front. With encouragement and guidance from his father and brother, Mike purchased the business in December 2023, naming it Big Irv’s from a nickname he had as a young man while growing up in Chicago.
One of the first things he discovered was the value of location in the car wash world. Located along the West 38th Avenue artery just west of Sheridan, it sees steady daily traffic from commuters, locals, and shoppers, but is not so congested that pulling in feels like a hassle. Additionally, being easily accessible across from Kings Soopers has reinforced the value of the car wash’s location.
During our conversation, Mike’s voice went from business to spirited when asked about what had surprised him most since taking over ownership. His reply?
The people.
Our people.
He did not expect to meet so many locals who would become repeat customers, nor did he anticipate how much he would enjoy those interactions. He spoke with genuine enthusiasm about the number of loyal customers he has met and shared that he even had the privilege of meeting Wheat Ridge’s own Mayor, Korey Stites, who was one such customer.
As a resident and customer in the Wheat Ridge area who shops at the King Soopers located just catty-corner from the car wash, I had only once considered using the facility prior to a couple of weeks ago. I recall one evening a few years ago, when I witnessed a driver doing a rubber burnout in one of the bays, filling the area with toxic smoke, and leaving me apprehensive about ever using the facility. To be honest, as a 50-cent car wash, and as a consumer, while I want to save money everywhere I can, I also want to spend the money I have wisely. Usually, in my experience, the cheapest option results in the cheapest outcome. My concern was the overall quality of the machines and whether they could provide a decent, preferably good, wash at a 50-cent wash bay. It turns out I was not wrong, as it previously had mediocre reviews from the community, citing weak water pressure and inconsistent, poorly working equipment.
The local car wash I primarily used is located on another avenue, off another side street in Wheat Ridge, and historically, I have gone out of my way to circle back to it when needing to wash my car. But having the wonderful experience I did at Big Irv’s changes that for me. Now I have two car wash facilities to choose from, and after speaking with Mike, I am proud to patronize a locally owned and openly operated car wash, and here is why.
From Google reviews left by customers, many mention Mike by name, praising the pride he takes in maintaining the facility and the way he treats people. The reviews paint a picture of a place where the owner’s presence matters, where the experience feels personal rather than transactional, and where customers truly value the care and pride Mike takes in providing a clean, functional, and well-maintained car wash.
In my visit, I was most impressed with the overall cleanliness as well as Big Irv’s usage of large, easy-to-read signs in the bays. Having patronized another car wash where cards are accepted, I found the step-by-step signage at Big Irv’s, especially the reminder to press the red stop button, extremely helpful, even for seasoned users. With large print instructions and recommendations for basic or premium washes, and soap descriptions like “Mag Remover” and “Bug Off,” using Big Irv’s felt engaging and like the guidance was… local. And since I had read the Google reviews beforehand, I knew the owner was nearby though I did not have the pleasure of meeting him in person while washing my car. I could see and experience that the place was cared for and this created a feeling in me that, as a customer, I knew I would be too.
Adding to Mike’s story with Big Irv’s was a twist that feels almost serendipitous. After purchasing the car wash, Mike discovered that the manufacturer of the soap was a local company whose owner was also looking to sell and Mike seized the opportunity to purchase Choice Manufacturing. Now, with the help of one other person, he proudly produces the soap locally in Commerce City.
Big Irv’s is not just a car wash. It is a story about timing, community, reinvention, and the unexpected ways life can open new doors. And in a way, Rose Royce lingers in the background, pointing to how familiar, everyday places can bring a rhythm shaped by the people who use them… at the car wash, yeah!
