Today, Brown Bear Car Wash celebrates its 55th anniversary with free car washes. The Seattle-based, family-owned company will start the free car automated “tunnel washes” at 8 a.m. and will offer the washes until 8 p.m. Locations in and near Ballard are 5111 15th Ave NW and 3977 Leary Way NW.
Photo from a previous year’s free car wash
The company has washed over 130,000 cars during their annual free car wash days over the past six years. “We blend hard work, pride and a lot of fun into an event that benefits our customers and the environment. It’s a fitting way to say ‘thank you’ to our customers who have supported us over the years,” said Brown Bear founder and owner Vic Odermat in a press release. Odermat started Brown Bear in the city in 1957 on 15th Ave W. Now, they have car washes throughout the Puget Sound area and Spokane.
![](https://www.myballard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-My-Ballard-Tile-Ad-Troop-100.png")
![](https://www.myballard.com/wp-content/uploads/My-Ballard-ad-1.png")