WashX opens second Baltimore-area wash with rainwater and nano-bubble tech
The membership-based operator debuted its Aberdeen site in Harford County, its second Maryland location since launching in Fallston in 2024.
By The Car Wash News Staff
3 min read
WashX Car Wash has opened its second location in the Baltimore metropolitan area, adding a site at 965 Middleton Road in the Aberdeen section of Harford County, Maryland. The operator, led by managing member Harry G. Pappas III and his partners, opened its first location on Belair Road in Fallston in 2024 and plans additional sites across the greater Baltimore region.
According to reporting from the International Carwash Association, the new Aberdeen site fronts MD Route 22 and sits alongside a Starbucks and a Popeyes, with a 6,500-square-foot shopping center planned by property owner Middleton Holdings. Tom Fidler of MacKenzie Retail, who represented WashX in the lease, said the deal took more than four years to complete.
A technology and sustainability pitch
WashX positions itself around what it calls a car spa experience, combining wash technology with environmental practices. The company points to rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and nano-bubble technology as core features. Nano-bubble systems generate ultra-fine gas bubbles that stay suspended in water rather than rising to the surface, creating highly oxygenated water intended to break down contaminants such as road salt, pollen, and dirt.
The operator offers unlimited-wash membership plans that are honored across both locations, along with cleaning programs aimed at corporate fleets. Partner Michael Deutsch framed the concept as "something more than a car wash," arguing that professional washing protects a vehicle's paint and long-term value better than at-home methods.
The company also tied the opening to local economic activity, citing new jobs and support for community organizations. The Pappas family already operates two Rent-A-Center stores in the Aberdeen submarket, which the ownership team says helped build customer relationships in the area.
Industry tailwinds cited
The announcement leaned on broad industry data to explain the expansion. Citing the International Carwash Association, WashX noted that 79 percent of consumers now use professional car wash facilities, up from 48 percent in 1994, with more than two billion washes completed annually at over 63,000 facilities. The trade group values the industry at $15 billion.
Water efficiency was also framed as a growth driver. Professional washes use roughly 35 gallons per vehicle, compared with more than 100 gallons for a typical at-home wash, a gap that matters as some jurisdictions impose water restrictions. Fidler added that the rise of multifamily housing, where units often lack outdoor hose connections, has expanded the customer base for professional washes.
Why it matters for operators
WashX's second site illustrates how independent operators are competing against national chains: not on price alone, but on a differentiated brand story built around technology and sustainability. The rainwater harvesting and recycling messaging does double duty, supporting both a marketing narrative and real cost control on water and sewer bills, which matters more as water restrictions spread.
The cross-location membership model remains the financial backbone here. Honoring unlimited plans at both sites increases the value proposition for members and encourages repeat visits as the footprint grows. Operators eyeing multi-site expansion should note the practical reality Fidler flagged: this location took more than four years from concept to opening, a reminder that real estate, cotenancy, and permitting timelines can dwarf the build itself. Pairing a wash with high-traffic neighbors like Starbucks and Popeyes reflects a deliberate site-selection strategy worth studying.
