MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Another Elephant Car Wash changes hands as Gig Harbor location sells for $4.85 million

Sep 17, 2026, 2:24 PM

seattle elephant car wash...

The small pink elephant sign, shown in its original habitat in February 2020. (Photo: Feliks Banel, KIRO Newsradio)

(Photo: Feliks Banel, KIRO Newsradio)

The Elephant Car Wash in Gig Harbor was purchased for $4.85 million last week as Classy Chassis Car Wash continues to expand its reach throughout Pierce County.

An entity linked to Classy Chassis purchased the property located at 3175 56th Street on Sept. 11, making it the company’s second Gig Harbor location, according to The Puget Sound Business Journal.

Classy Chassis also operates three car washes out of Lakewood, three in Tacoma, two in Puyallup, and one in University Place.

“We’re honored to build on the legacy of the iconic Elephant Wash brand and grow within the Gig Harbor community,” Classy Chassis President Corey Campbell said in a statement, according to The Puget Sound Business Journal. “What makes Gig Harbor special is the strong sense of community here and the way people stay connected to both sides of the bridge. It’s a unique market where people may live in Gig Harbor, work in Tacoma, commute to the Key Peninsula, or travel throughout Pierce County as part of their daily routine.”

Elephant Car Wash’s Puget Sound presence continues to shrink as competitors buy up locations

The deal follows another acquisition of the Wet Rabbit Express Car Wash at 9021 S Tacoma Way that Classy Chassis finalized four months prior.

While Classy Chassis has moved in, Elephant Car Wash has continued expanding outside of the Puget Sound. In 2023, Elephant Car Wash opened its first Arizona location, which was followed by four others.

In total, Elephant Car Wash has 15 locations across the Puget Sound area.

The Seattle-based Brown Bear Car Wash purchased Elephant Car Wash’s Bellevue location at 12900 NE Bel-Red Road for $8.1 million in June.

At the time, Brown Bear Vice President Lance Odermat said that increasing construction costs and issues with finding appropriately zoned land made existing car wash properties more valuable, according to The Puget Sound Business Journal.

In 2020, Elephant Car Wash closed two long-standing locations, including its flagship site near the Space Needle and its original SoDo location that was nearly 70 years old.

MyNorthwest News

closures (1)...

Nate Connors

Seattle highway closures, southbound I-405 shutdown in Bothell mean weekend detours

Drivers traveling through Seattle and Bothell should plan for highway and ramp closures.

1 day ago

2 Tom Wales...

James Lynch

25 years after federal prosecutor Tom Wales’ killing, investigators say the case is still active

For 25 years, investigators have been pursuing the killing of Tom Wales, an assistant U.S. Attorney shot at his desk in his home in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood. Federal officials said they are still investigating and need information that could turn what they know into evidence they can present in court. “This is an open […]

1 day ago

ferry (2)...

James Lynch

‘Not a problem that can be solved immediately’: Gov. Ferguson pledges to address ferry crew wage gaps

Gov. Ferguson said he’s committed to working with the union representing Washington State Ferries engine-room crews on wage gap concerns.

1 day ago

Museum of History & Industry...

KIRO Newsradio staff

Museum of History & Industry workers vote to unionize

Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) workers have voted to unionize.

1 day ago

flu (1)...

KIRO Newsradio staff

‘It could be a rough flu season’: Snohomish County reports first flu-related death this season

Snohomish County is reporting its first flu-related death of the season.

2 days ago

delivery driver monroe shot...

Lexi Herda, KIRO 7 News

Delivery driver shot at through apartment door in Monroe

The Monroe Police Department said someone shot through an apartment door while a delivery driver was outside.

2 days ago

Another Elephant Car Wash changes hands as Gig Harbor location sells for $4.85 million