Small Business Spotlight: Arkham Shine Auto Detailing Studio

Every business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

Business: Arkham Shine Auto Detailing Studio
Owners: Kevin and Candice Awalt
Website: www.ArkhamShine.com
Address: 90 Danbury Road (at the top of the hill between Mavis Discount Tires and Advanced Auto Parts) New Milford, Ct 06776

How did you come up with the name?

It’s a reference to the main institution in the Batman mythology. Arkham Asylum is the institution where all the criminals get sent to be rehabilitated, so Arkham Shine is where all the cars get sent to be shined up again.

Why start a business in this town?

I started my business in New Milford because I like that it still has that “hometown” feel to it. People work hard, not only on their businesses, but on their homes, and their community here. They take pride in what they have, so we want to help them keep their vehicles looking great. Since we do not focus on high volume, we wanted to position ourselves in an area where our valued clients feel safe leaving their vehicles, and that they will not be “on display” for the world to see.

Briefly, what business are you in?

Arkham Shine Auto Detailing Studio is in the paint correction and surface protection business. Both of these are directly related to Auto Detailing, but just at a higher level than most people are used to or even think is possible.

What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

The biggest challenge I face is getting the proper information to the general public. The auto detailing industry is an unregulated business, so there is no one saying what qualifies someone as a professional. It seems that a majority of people have almost come to accept that your car, usually the second most expensive thing you own, is just going to be dirty and scratched up because not a lot of people take the time to learn how to “detail” a car properly. Even customers that have brand new cars right off the lot bring them in and can’t believe how much better their car looks when someone with the proper tools, training and expierience. Getting past people’s pre-concieved notions of what our job as detailers is and what we are capable of is a big challenge to overcome on a large scale.

What’s been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?

I had a guy I went to high school with reach out to me. He was very successful with his small business and was finally at a point where he could afford a little bit of luxury. He went out and bought a car he had always wanted, a Ford Mustang. He contacted me and told me what great condition the car was in, but he wanted to see what I could do. He was right, the car was in very good condition, but the paint was not as clear as it should have been. After some minor wet sanding on a couple spots, and a two stage paint correction, the paint came out almost flawlessly. He said that I had changed his definition of what “mint condition” was. This was a proud moment not only because of the reaction he had to my work, but the feeling that I was helping him enjoy something he had worked very hard in his business to attain.

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?​

Since we are still in our first year, it has been hard to focus on the philanthropical side of our business as much as we would like, but we have never denied someone a gift certificate to raffle off. We also participate in as many of the local cars shows as possible and they usually have a charity that they are raising money for. As we come into spring this year, we plan to get involved in even more shows and help them all raise funds for their selected organizations. We are also in the starting stages of putting together a 2017 calendar that will feature cars and people dressed up as various Super Heros (cosplay) that we will be selling to raise money for Autism Speaks. We completely understand the value in helping out our community, and are always open to lending a hand in whatever way we can.

Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email wendy.mitchell@patch.com.

Photo Arkham Shine Auto Detailing Studio