LAPLACE — Ronnie Bonner has opened automated car washes in five locations throughout the New Orleans metro area.

They weren’t enough, it seemed.

“We have one on David Drive in Kenner,” said Bonner, the owner of Pelican Pointe car washes. “We had a lot of people who were driving in from LaPlace and, every day they were asking, ‘when are you coming to LaPlace?’”

The answer is, March.

Bonner purchased a portion of the parking lot in front of New Wine Christian Fellowship on Airline Highway, where he is building his sixth state-of-the-art automated car wash.

When completed, the Pelican Pointe LaPlace location will allow customers to use its four-minute wash, complete with tire detailing.

Self-serve vacuums are available for free.

“It’s economical and efficient,” Bonner said. “It’s definitely an express car wash.”

Also unique to Pelican Pointe customers are its payment plans, which allow customers to purchase wash packages and fast pass packages with unlimited washes.

Bonner said the facility also is friendly to teams, schools, churches and other groups for fundraisers.

The Rev. Neil Bernard, pastor at New Wine, said he felt it was a “win/win” for the church and the community.

When the site is completed, Bonner plans to have a big grand opening.

“We usually wash cars for free for about a week,” he said.

“It’s a way to welcome people in, give everybody a chance to try it.”

For information about Pelican Pointe car washes, visit pelicanpointecarwash.com.