Big Drip Auto Spa Turns Car Washing into a Wonderland Experience

After nearly three decades working in the family car wash business at Anthony’s Car Wash, Chris Serio was ready to create something entirely new. In September 2024, he and his wife, Courtney, opened Big Drip Auto Spa in Chelsea, Alabama—a vibrant, themed car wash designed to delight both kids and adults.

“Big Drip Auto Spa is different than the typical car wash,” Chris says. “Courtney and I dreamed up a place where families could have an experience, not just a clean car.” In addition, the car wash provides a variety of amenities, including towels, cleaning spray for windows, carpets and mats, carpet mat washers, sinks with brushes for rubber mats, air freshener and complimentary air for tires.

Their first site features an Alice in Wonderland-themed tunnel lit by 52 LED bars, neon graphics and colorful signage. “It’s blacked out with neon lights swirling around you,” Chris explains. “Kids love it. My own kids, Maddox and Emma Kate, tested and approved it!”

Getting the dream off the ground wasn’t easy, however. “Trying to get the bank loan in 2022 proved to be very tough,” Chris recalls. “I called all the commercial banks we’d banked with for years, and no one wanted to do anything.”

Everything changed when Chris contacted banker Ryan Blackenberg at Millennial Bank, who immediately looped in Sam Renta at Alliance Capital. “Out of the five commercial banks I’ve dealt with, working with Ryan and Sam was the smoothest process,” he says. “Sam was so detailed, thorough, honest and upfront. Honestly, working with Sam was the best thing that happened to us.”

Through the SBA 7(a) program, Big Drip secured a $5 million loan to bring the project to life. “Because it was a startup, the 7(a) loan made sense,” Chris explains. “Within 24 hours of contacting Sam and Ryan, we had a verbal approval and got moving.”

Today, Big Drip offers five wash options ranging from $12 to $32, plus memberships and family plans. Team members are spread throughout the lot to take care of things like spraying a bug enzyme remover and drying off the exterior after the wash. “We’re the wash of the people,” Chris says. “We want car washing to be an attraction—and an experience families look forward to.”

Sam, Ryan and Chris are continuing their relationship as they currently work on an SBA loan to remodel the Anthony’s location in The Grove. “We are working on updating and rebranding some of our locations over the next few years,” Chris explains. “I’m grateful for the work of this team to move our business forward.”

PHOTO from left: Sam Renta, Alliance Capital; Chris Serio, Big Drip Auto Spa; Ryan Blackenburg, Millennial Bank