Mayor Christopher Getty Welcomes Buddy Bear Car Wash to Lyons
Mayor Christopher Getty joined business owner Phil DeGeratto and local officials on Wednesday to celebrate the grand opening of Buddy Bear Car Wash’s 17th location at 8136 Ogden Avenue in Lyons.
The new facility, spanning three acres, represents a multimillion-dollar investment in the community. The Buddy Bear brand, which has been in business for over 50 years, carries a deep family legacy.
Named in honor of DeGeratto’s grandfather, affectionately known as “Papa Bear”, and his father, Phillip “Buddy Bear”, the company’s roots trace back to the Buddy Bear Food Centers once popular in the City of Chicago.
Mayor Getty expressed pride in welcoming Buddy Bear Car Wash to Lyons, recognizing both its legacy and economic impact.
“I want to stress how much we appreciate and thank Phil for making this major investment in our community,” said Mayor Getty. “Five years ago, Phil made a commitment to bring his business to Lyons, and today, we celebrate him following through on that promise. We’re thrilled to have Buddy Bear Car Wash here.”
DeGeratto echoed the excitement, reflecting on his family’s history in Lyons.
“My grandpa and uncle operated DeGeratto Finer Foods, so it feels great to have the DeGeratto name back in Lyons,” he said. “We are grateful to be in a village that truly supports businesses and has such strong leadership under Mayor Getty. The progress in this town is incredible.”
DeGeratto also honored the Metz family, who owned the property for over a century and ran Joseph Metz and Son, a masonry business established in 1912. A commemorative plaque at the entrance of the car wash pays tribute to their legacy.
To mark the grand opening, the first 10,000 car washes at the new location will be free.
Among those attending the ribbon-cutting were Village Trustees Paul Marchiori and Dan Hilker along with Village Manager Tom Sheahan, Police Chief Tom Herion, Fire Chief Gordon Nord, Building Director John Pierce, Public Works Director Tito Rodriquez, as well as members of the Lyons community and Buddy Bear staff.
For more information on Buddy Bear Car Wash, visit www.buddybearcarwash.com.
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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