Jim Croce once wrote that he had the “workin” at the car wash blues.” But the only blues spotted at Bennie”s Car Wash and Detail Center on Highway 12 in Starkville are the rags and buckets used to wash the cars.
Owner Bennie Williams has been washing cars for 16 years.
“We”ve been in this location for about six years, but I”ve been washing a lot longer than that,” Williams said.
Being born and raised in Starkville gives Bennie and his three brothers — Kent, Clyde and Roosevelt — the advantage of knowing many community members, and with that comes the luxury of having them return time and time again.
Every other vehicle that passed the car wash was honked and waved, as if greeting an old friend. They likely were.
“I know them; they”re good people,” he said.
The Williams brothers operate the car wash like a well-oiled, freshly waxed machine.
“It builds strong relationships,” Kent said of working with his brothers. “And you get to have fun while you do the job.”
When asked about sibling rivalry, their heads cock at the seemingly foreign concept. These brothers spend every day together shampooing, washing and detailing cars. They talk about church, “mama” and dinner. Not only are they brothers, they are the closest of friends.
Both Bennie and Kent agree that customer satisfaction is the key to their business.
“They bring us something old and we make it feel brand new,” said Kent.
The brothers assure their customers that their operation offers what touchless automatic car washes cannot — a personal investment in the car.
“(The touchless car wash) doesn”t back up when it misses a spot. This is hand-polished, hand-washed, hands on,” Bennie said.
In the rare case that the customer isn”t satisfied, the Williams will do whatever it takes to make it right, the brothers assure them.
However well in tune the brothers are, their rewards are slightly different. “I just enjoy cleaning cars,” Bennie said. “If you enjoy it, you”re going to do a good job. I take pride in my work.”
Kent lives for the satisfied look on the customer”s face: “I enjoy making people happy.”
Bennie, listening on, retorts quickly with, “Oh, they”ll be happy.”
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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Related Photos
Owner Bennie Williams details a customer’s rims at Bennie’s Car Wash in Starkville. Photo by: Hal Sullivan
Clyde Williams vacuums out the passenger side of a customer’s car. Photo by: Hal Sullivan
Bennie’s Car Wash and Detail Center is located at a former produce stand on Highway 12 in Starkville. Photo by: Hal Sullivan
