BUCKTOWN — A car wash just west of the Damen and Armitage avenue intersection in Bucktown will be replaced by an expanding auto repair shop specializing in imports and body work, it was announced Tuesday.
After Bucktown Hand Car Wash & Detailing, 2036 W. Armitage Ave., closed this fall, the one-story vintage building was bought by local developer Steve Lipe for $1.2 million on Sept. 30, county records show.
Lipe said he leased the spot to Leo Dirim, who also owns Damen Auto Repairs & Body Shop, 1743 N. Damen Ave.
"[Dirim] plans on using it for auto repair and estimating for body repair work. Long term we will redevelop the property, but that will wait 5 to 10 years," Lipe said.
Armitage Auto Care is scheduled to open in January, according to a repair technician, Joe Moon, who also works at the company's sister location, Damen Auto Repairs & Body Shop.
"We do imports and domestic [car service] as well as body work. We might still have a small car wash but the focus is repairs," Moon said.
Moon said that the Armitage shop — which is twice as big as the Damen location and can hold 30 cars while aso offering a waiting area with a coffee station and free wifi — will add another four jobs to Bucktown.
Dirim could not immediately be reached for comment.
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