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The Stützliwösch in Altstetten is closing after 30 years.
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It was a meeting place, ritual and cult at the same time: the "Stützliwösch" in Zurich-Altstetten is closing after more than 30 years. The reason is a SBB construction project - a painful loss for many regular customers.
A piece of everyday culture is disappearing in Zurich: the "Stützliwösch" in Altstetten is closing its doors after more than three decades. As the Tages-Anzeiger reports, the rental contract on the SBB site is coming to an end - making way for a new construction project.
Drivers can still clean their vehicles one last time in the ten wash boxes until Sunday. After that, it's over for good. For many regular customers, this is more than just the end of a practical facility.
"I've been cleaning my car here for 30 years," one customer told the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper. The car wash had been an integral part of her everyday life. Other visitors are also disappointed - the combination of a central location, round-the-clock opening and inexpensive hand washing was unique in Zurich.
In fact, the "Stützliwösch" was the largest self-service car wash in Switzerland and attracted customers from far beyond the city. Even car fans from abroad found their way to Altstetten, according to the report.
The closure of the facility is not due to a lack of demand. On the contrary: business continued to be good. The reason is the SBB project "Werkstadt", which is to be built on the site. The plan is for a multi-storey industrial building with space for start-ups, production companies and public uses.
Integration of the car wash into the project was examined but rejected. This means that the "Stützliwösch" will disappear completely from the cityscape.
Particularly bitter: there is currently no alternative within the city. The operator has been looking for a new location for over two years - so far without success. The reasons for this include noise protection regulations and the requirements for 24-hour operation.
