'Coach' retires

by Alexandria Randolph

‘Coach’ Larry Berkman is selling CoachWash, his car cleaning business after ten years.

CoachWash is now Wingman Car Wash, owned by Dustin Wing and John Paige of Wingman Oil Change Center.

“I’ve owned CoachWash since 2004. Wingman wanted to expand their business. They made an offer and I accepted,” Berkman said. “It’s been a great business. We’ve had a lot of good years. It seemed like a good time to move into another arena.”

Berkman co-owned the car wash with Dale Brown and Jeff Bingham.

Berkman, who previously served as a Marble Falls High School coach for 30 years, said he will still be involved with the Marble Falls community including his position on the Marble Falls ISD School Board.

“I’m going to take time off, but I still have something to contribute to the community,” Berkman said. “I’m not ready to go out to pasture yet.”

Berkman said he thinks Wing and Paige will take good care of his business.

“The plan was always to expand, and then this opportunity came up. We thought it was a good way to solidify the Wingman name,” said Wingman owner Dustin Wing. “We finalized it last week and our first day of business was Wednesday.”

Wing said that rather than open up other oil service shops in surrounding areas like Austin or Killeen, the acquisition of CoachWash is a good way to keep things local.

Wing said the service plan would be changed slightly to offer a regular full service wash, express detail service and an express plan drive through. He added that the basic full service wash is free with an oil change at Wigman’s Oil Change Center.

Wing said his company is keeping all of the currently employees, and the two facilities are directly across the street from each other on US 281.

“We’re trying to keep both businesses synergistic. You can get your car worked on and looking good too,” Wing said.

Berkman said his 10 years with CoachWash was a learning process.

“I thought a carwash business would be non controversial, but people are really passionate about their cars. It took us a few years to get it right,” he said.