It's All In The Family At The Lafayette Car Wash

The Lafayette Car Wash & Detail Center is definitely a family affair.

Blake Wellen now oversees the day-to-day operations at the business his father, Jesse, bought in 1990.

Wellen also met his wife, Julie Rubio, while working at the car wash on the eastern end of Mt. Diablo Boulevard.

A number of employees have also met their significant others in the midst of the soap, spray and industrial dryers.

In addition, the car wash owners use the "family first" rule when looking for new employees. They prefer to hire family members of people who already work there.

"We really view it here as one big family," said Wellen.

The car wash itself as been around since the 1960s. It even had a gas station on the property until the 1980s.

In 1990, Jesse Wellen, a Marin County real estate agent, bought the car wash as an investment. Wellen, who is now in his early 70s, is still a co-owner, along with his son Blake.

The younger Wellen was a teenager at the time of the purchase. He worked there during summers and at other times.

"I was in and out and around the business," he said.

After high school, Wellen went to UCLA, where he competed in water polo. After college, he played professional water polo for several years in Rome.

When he came back, he worked in the restaurant industry for a few more years before deciding to join his father in the car washing profession about eight years ago.

"It was a great opportunity to work with my dad in a business that was a great business," he said.

The car wash has added detailing and body repair components in recent years. You can now get a car wash as well as a dent fixed and some detailing work done when you visit.

"It's a one-stop shop for your car," said Wellen.

Wellen said the secret to the business' success is simple.

"We pay attention to detail and attention to our customers," said Wellen. "It's an honest, well-run business."

For the future, the family plans to continue the tradition.

"Our mission is to simply keep this up," said Wellen.

And a new generation may be on the horizon.

Wellen's 17-year-old son, Elijah, is now doing shifts at the car wash.