(left to right) Joe Choinski, Mobile Division Manager, and owners Jeff Hansing and Eric Voorheis
The owners of MAGICAR would like to announce that the ownership of the area's premiere hand car wash, auto detailing, and window tinting business has been sold, but not to newcomers.
Eric Voorheis, a northern Michigan native, moved to Clearwater in the fall of 1988, shortly after graduating from high school. At age 18, along with his uncle Jeff Voorheis, he was a co-founding and original owner of MAGICAR. Now at 36, he has bought the business back along with a new partner, Jeff Hansing, who hails from Minnesota originally.
Six years after selling MAGICAR in 1999, his 5 year (non-compete) clause expired, and bored with his semi-retirement, Voorheis realized his talent and passion is still the car detailing business.
In 2004 Voorheis opened a new detail shop in downtown Clearwater called ERIC'S AUTO SALON, conveniently located at 20 S. Myrtle, right behind Angie's restaurant on the corner of Cleveland and Myrtle. The new SALON has finally started to show success after two long years of road construction, and many customers recognize Voorheis from back in his original MAGICAR days.
In addition to car detailing, Voorheis has also built a substantial boat detailing business, PERFECT BOAT DETAIL, of which Hansing is also a half partner.
Voorheis remembers MAGICAR when he opened it. "Things have certainly changed around here." He recalls that there were only a handful of businesses on Gulf to Bay at the time that took pride in their storefronts, and maintained curb appeal. "Jersey Jim Towers; Hooters; Capagonas Dugout and our own MAGICAR are a rare few, but no one is surprised that they are still around today," said Voorheis.
The land the original MAGICAR is located on is slated for a change, but the business itself will not. Says Voorheis, "MAGICAR will never leave its roots, or its customers whom have come to count on us for professional car care that is always done by hand." The property, which is currently under contract for sale, is scheduled to close soon. A CVS store is the most probable replacement for the property. But that doesn't dismay Voorheis and Hansing.
In fact, the opposite is occurring, expansion, expansion, expansion. The Auto Salon location on Myrtle will soon be converted to the 2nd MAGICAR location, with locations 3 and 4 already in the works. "Add to that, an upcoming mobile division that can come right to your work, and provide the same quality hand car wash and detailing services you expect, but conveniently done while you work."
For more information visit MAGICAR at 1771 Gulf to Bay or phone (727) 441-6880. Visit ERIC'S AUTO SALON at 20 S. Myrtle Avenue or phone (727) 441-4011.
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