By Chandler Inions

SALISBURY — It might be the end of an era, but it is also the start of a new chapter for Sam’s Car Wash, a Salisbury institution.

The longstanding and trusted name in car care since 1962 is reeling in its operation, back to where it all began.

When Sam and Joyce Allen opened their first car wash all those years ago, it only had one location, 1022 West Innes Street. After decades of service that saw expansion to another Salisbury location, one in Lexington and one in Concord, the father-son ownership duo Glenn Allen and Dwight Allen are downsizing.

With the sale of the East Innes Street and Poplar Crossing (Concord) locations to RipTide Car Wash, the owners are consolidating their efforts to focus on the West Innes business.

“It has been an emotional roller coaster ride,” Glenn said. “We have been in the people business all these years, not necessarily the car wash business. We really came to realize that in the last week or so.”

Opened by Sam and Joyce Allen in 1962, the original location grew into a community staple where generations of families have entrusted their vehicles for care and attention. The East Innes Street location was opened six years later and they began servicing oil changes there in 1995.

Over the decades, the Allen family built their legacy. The second generation of Allens, Glenn and Sam, and later third generation, Dwight, continued to expand the business by establishing those locations first in Lexington (1990) and later in Concord (2016).

“In 2001, my brother and I split off and they took the Lexington location and I took the Salisbury location and that is when my son came on full time,” Glenn said.

Glenn acknowledged that his father always wanted to explore tapping into the Charlotte market, and that they felt like they were in a way by opening a location in Concord, but ultimately, it stretched them thin. However, despite having more than 140 employees between the various locations, Glenn said that they came to view each of them as kin.

“It gets to be more than a working relationship, it becomes family,” Glenn said. “You service customers and create memories together.”

Some of those employees have been with the company for decades.

What to expect

The West Innes location will continue offering a ride through express wash, as well as the signature inside/outside wash which includes a wash, detail and hand dry featuring Turtle Wax products. With the inside/outside wash, customers can sit back and relax while crew members vacuum the carpet and vehicle mats and wash the rubber mats. Once the vehicle comes out of the tunnel, the vehicle is hand dried, interior dusted, windows washed, door jams cleaned and wheels cleaned and shined. With their dedicated team, that process only takes 20 minutes.

Then, Turtle Wax products are applied, and the tire dressing is hand applied. Not only does the wash clean the customer’s ride, but it also buffs and shines. Honing in on that attention to detail is part of why the change is happening.

“This move is more than a business decision; it’s a chance to reconnect with the community and get back to the values that have always been important to us,” Dwight said. “We’re committed to quality, and that shows in our premium products, hand wash and detail services, and our 48-hour clean car guarantee, which gives our customers confidence that they’ll always leave with a car that looks great.”

Dwight added that they would not be where they are without community support, saying that they want to continue earning its business through quality performance.

Today, under Glenn and Dwight’s watchful leadership, Sam’s Car Wash will remain a proud family-owned business, carrying forward the traditions and values that make it unique.

This decision reflects not only a return to where it all began but also a renewed commitment to delivering the exceptional service that has defined Sam’s Car Wash for over 60 years. The West Innes Street location isn’t just another car wash; it’s a piece of Salisbury’s history.

“I think Dad would approve,” Glenn said. “I thought about that. Dad lived to be 98. He actually saw the Concord location after it was built … He was proud of us and proud that Dwight was involved and carrying the tradition on. I think he would be great with us coming back to the roots.”