2 new Butler County businesses specialize in comic books, car washes

A new business is coming to Middletown’s downtown.

Cool Comics & Collectibles is expected to open May 25 at 1207 Central Ave., if permitting allows, according to owners Brandi and Merle Cantrell.

Located next to Spoken Bicycle, Cool Comics & Collectibles will be in a storefront that formerly was a barbershop.

It will offer a wide variety of comic books and collectible items including but not limited to figurines, card games, and toys.

The couple said they hope to pass the business on to their five children.

“We chose the location in hopes that the youth of Middletown will have a safe and non-troublesome place to have fun,” Brandi Cantrell told this news outlet.

Cool Comics & Collectibles is planning a partnership with Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop, which is located across the street at 1212 Central Ave.

Customers who bring a receipt from Cool Comics to Grandpa Joe’s will get a free piece of candy. Customers who bring a receipt from that store to Cool Comics will get a free comic book.

Hours of operation are expected to be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

Rainstorm Car Wash

A car wash offering unlimited car washes is planning to construct and open a new location in West Chester Twp.

RVP Engineering applied this month for a new building at 7876 Tylersville Road.

The new building will replace a Steak ‘n Shake that closed in 2012.

Jeff Justice, part of Rainstorm Car Wash development team, said he expects the business to be constructed and open by mid to late September. He said a grand opening celebration will feature free washes for those who sign up for the Fast Pass monthly program.

The no-contract monthly plan features a sticker that automatically opens the car wash, offering unlimited car washing to customers and pass lane privileges and “a clean car in about three minutes,” Justice said.

Plans start at $18 and go up to $36 per month for each vehicle, with owners of newer vehicles typically opting for a complete “Foamstorm” package, one that includes a better clear coat protector and “all the bells and whistles.”

Most customers opt for a Lightning Wax & Shine $32 package so they can get Carnauba Wax and shiny tires, Justice said.

Adding a car to a membership costs as little as $15 per month.

Rainstorm Car Wash offers a 100-percent guarantee. It also offers free vacuums and a free detail cart stocked with microfiber towels, all-purpose cleaner, window cleaner and bug cleaner.

The business is eco-friendly, recycling 90 percent of its water and maintaining the “highest standards when it comes to disposing waste.”

Fast Pass memberships are also valid at any Rainstorm location. The company, which started in 2000, has locations in Illinois and Kentucky. The West Chester location would be the first location in Ohio. Additional Cincinnati area sites are in the works.

“At every site we have at least one person who is generally a retired gentleman who will run their car every day, rain or shine, to take advantage of our Fast Pass,” Justice said.

On Veterans Day, any former or active duty military personnel can wash his or her vehicle for free, he said.

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