Hey Locals,

No joke: You can't drive far in Fort Wayne without seeing a few car washes. At least three new ones opened last year, and more are on the way. We fill you in on the city's car wash surplus and how it's part of a troublesome trend in the U.S. fueled by a "massive tax break" in recent years.

We also catch you up on the bipartisan push to preserve city funding – at least for road work. And just in time for spring, we share a new freebie for paid subscribers, helping you kickstart your day or refuel before/after a workout.

This month: we're partnering the superfood cafe Grain & Berry at 9821 Lima Rd. to bring all paid subscribers to The Local a free juice or health shot. Did you know we give our paid members a freebie every month at a local business to cover the cost of membership? See what a paid membership is all about with this 30-day trial, and you can get that discount!

Heads up! We have an extra-long issue this week because we're taking it easy next week for Spring Break. We'll be back with a full issue on April 15.

Now, let's get started!

NOTE: Links to Journal Gazette articles are marked(*) and may be behind a paywall.

Car wash overkill?

Fort Wayne has a lot of car washes, and it's about to get even more. We explore why.

What’s happening?

If you feel like you’re seeing a lot of car washes in Fort Wayne lately, you’re not imagining things. The city is currently home to more than 28 express car washes – and that number continues to climb.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Express car washes refer to the quick, automated tunnel car washes, like the ones you might see at a Drive & Shine or Mike’s Carwash. They do not include the city’s self-service car washes or auto detailing services – of which there are many. Our report also excludes the car washes at Fort Wayne’s auto dealerships. We’re strictly focusing on stand-alone tunnel car washes and car washes at gas stations.
• Most cities need about one express car wash for every 20-25,000 people, according to the International Car Wash Association. As of 2023, Fort Wayne's population was 269,994, and the average number of vehicles per household here is about 1.6 — below the national average of 1.8. (In fact, about 9% of local households don’t own vehicles.) So according to our calculations, the city would need roughly 10-14 single-tunnel express washes to support its residents.
• Fort Wayne currently has more than 28 express car washes alone, according to data from the Allen County Auditor and reporting by The Local – roughly twice the recommended number from the ICA. We mapped them here: 

See an express wash we missed? Email us the location at thelocalfortwayne@gmail.com, and we’ll add it to the map.

• And the number keeps growing: Just last year, three new express car washes from the Indiana-based chain Drive & Shine entered the local market. Drive & Shine is already planning a fourth location at Lima and Ley roads, and just this month, the Plan Commission gave preliminary approval to another Texas-based car wash chain, WhiteWater Express Car Wash, which plans to build its first location at 4800 Maplecrest Rd. (and promises more to come).
• WhiteWater is a private-equity-owned chain – unlike Fort Wayne's other major players in the car wash scene. Mike’s Carwash and Drive & Shine are private, family-owned companies. Nationally, private-equity-owned chains are causing some trouble for cities. Several Maplecrest area neighbors attended a public hearing on March 9 to share concerns about WhiteWater’s plans for rezoning and development there. But the Plan Commission gave the company two do-pass recommendations without much discussion on March 17. The plans will now go before City Council on April 8. (Citizens with feedback may attend the meeting or write to their council representatives.)

Why it matters

It turns out: Fort Wayne is not the only city where car washes are becoming a hot point of debate. In fact, Bloomberg reports that "more car washes were built in the last decade than all the preceding years combined," and the sector is expected to double by 2030. But residents across the country are starting to push back on whether these developments are the “best and highest” uses of local land. 

Subscribe to our premium newsletter to learn about a recent “massive tax break” fueling the nation’s car wash boom — and why the sector is expected to double by 2030. Plus, what it means for Fort Wayne.

• City Council continues to make bipartisan strides to preserve funding for city budget needs, like road work. Last week, Andy Downs, the City of Fort Wayne's recently appointed Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, thanked council for hosting multiple meetings with state legislators about funding, and most recently, for sending Councilman Tom Freistroffer (At-Large) to Indianapolis to testify on HB 1461, a bill seeking to redistribute funds from Indiana's wheel tax. Downs and members of council believe the bill will be "very beneficial to the City of Fort Wayne" because the city has previously had to fill out annual applications to determine how much funding it receives from this tax, and some years, it has received none. HB 1461 would allow cities with larger populations to get a more proportionate distribution of the funds without raising taxes. This is expected to support road work in Fort Wayne and help offset losses expected from pending state property tax legislation, which may still affect other areas of local government spending, like schools.
• A group tied to Eric Doden of Fort Wayne Next has offered the City up to $10 million for the North River property (slated for a fieldhouse and more), but the City has refused. The offer is about 20% more than the City has invested in the 30-acre property, and the undisclosed group of investors claims the sale would save millions of taxpayer dollars and ensure the development is "led by local leaders truly invested in the future of the community." Trout Moser, President of National Oil & Gas, Inc., is named as president of the investors group (Cumberland Development LLC), but says the land would become part of a trust-based model of development under Fort Wayne Next, which has already acquired adjacent property along High Street. Fort Wayne Next and other groups tied to Doden (Domo Development) have made several recent (public) bids for North River property, including last week's proposal to move Snider's football stadium Downtown and a 2023 pitch for the Pepsi property. Thus far, the City has refused all offers and distanced themselves from Fort Wayne Next, forging ahead with plans for a public-private partnership to build the $50-$60M fieldhouse and seeking interested developers to respond by an extended deadline of April 7.*

What else? Accessory Dwelling Unit changes. A new local storytelling project. FWCS cuts and more. We cover it all in our premium newsletter.

A new deal with Grain & Berry!

All paid subscribers to The Local get a free juice or health shot at this superfood cafe franchise, owned by a local family.

What’s happening? 

This month, The Local is partnering with Grain & Berry to bring all paid subscribers a free juice or health shot at their superfood cafe at 9821 Lima Rd., Suite 102. Learn how to claim your offer here. 

We sat down with Owners Michelle and Rob Thomas to learn more about their franchise of the Florida-based cafe, and how they’re providing more local residents with healthy alternatives to fast food, as well as vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options that don’t sacrifice taste.

Here are a few quick things to know:

• The freebies: Grain & Berry offers health shots in two flavors, ginger and turmeric, with a lemon chaser. It also offers nine fresh-pressed juices. Michelle recommends the Summer Glow (Pineapple, Carrot and Turmeric) with a ginger shot or the Healer (Orange, Lemon, Ginger and Honey) with a turmeric shot. Rob recommends the Beet the Heat (Beet, Apple, Ginger, Cayenne Pepper and Lemon) with a turmeric shot (for those who can handle a more bitter flavor).
• Grain & Berry has a proprietary, sugar-free acai recipe. We tried the original Grain & Berry bowl (Michelle’s favorite) and loved it. It’s made with organic granola, banana, strawberries, blueberries, Nutella, peanut butter and coconut shavings, and it’s a large, sharable portion perfect to kickstart your day or refuel before or after a workout. (Open daily 9 a.m.-9 p.m.)
• Their plant-based meat is delicious. We tried the staff favorite Kickin’ Chicken quesadilla, and couldn’t tell it wasn’t real chicken. A longtime rural Indiana resident, Rob says he never imagined himself enjoying vegan meat – let alone selling it. But he likes the sausage at Grain & Berry “better than the real thing.”
• Special requests are their specialty. Staff says: Don’t be afraid to ask questions, ask for samples and make special dietary requests. They also recommend adding extras, like kale, protein powder and health shots to smoothies and juices for added benefits. 
• Sign up for rewards. Grain & Berry offers exclusive rewards and discounts via email signup on its website, which many staff say is a great way to save money.
• A food truck (and second location) might be coming soon. Michelle and Rob say they’re working on a food truck for Grain & Berry’s bowls, smoothies and juices this fall, as well as a future second location with a drive-thru in coming years.

Learn more, and see staff menu picks in our full story.

• Meet: the Fort Wayne Zoo's new male lion Kiume (pronounced Cue-MAY), joining lioness Ina in the African Journey. Kiume is a 13-year-old from John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Fort Wayne's Zoo opened Friday.
• Attend: the Tincaps' 2025 season opener at Parkview Field on April 4 at 7:05 p.m. against the Lansing Lugnuts. This year's 132-game schedule features 66 home dates — 28 with postgame fireworks.
• Watch: a free showing of Hawkins Family Farm: More Than a Corn Story at Cinema Center on April 4 at 6:30 p.m., offering a heartfelt exploration of family, community and the deep connection between land and legacy. The film features father-and-son duo Jeff and Zach Hawkins in North Manchester, Ind., followed by a Q&A.

What else? We share more things to do in our premium newsletter.

Support The Local!

Our independent news publication is run by just two locals, Kara and Mike. We are 99% funded by our paid members, and we'd like to keep it that way. If you've enjoyed reading our newsletter so far and have found value in the service we provide, we'd love to have you become a paid subscriber. Help us keep going by upgrading today, and receive our premium newsletter and perks!

Got a story tip or idea?

Let us know at thelocalfortwayne@gmail.com.

Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett