Local Dignitaries and Business Leaders Attended the Event for Rising Tide, Which Has a Primary Mission to Employ Adults with Autism
Rising Tide Car Wash, a revolutionary social enterprise and high-quality car wash experience, celebrated the groundbreaking of its second location, at 2970 N. State Rd 7 in Margate, on Nov. 16. Rising Tide Car Wash has a primary mission to employ adults with autism.
In attendance were Rising Tide CEO/Co-Founder John D’Eri and COO/Co-Founder Tom D’Eri, Margate Mayor Tommy Ruzzano, Margate Vice Mayor Joyce W. Bryan, Margate Commissioner Lesa Peerman, Margate Commissioner Joanne Simone, Margate City Manager Doug Smith, Margate CRA Executive Director Diane Colonna, Margate CRA Project Manager Kim Vazquez, Margate Fire Chief Dan Booker, Margate City Attorney Douglas R. Gonzales, Margate Building Director Mary Langley, Margate Commissioner Elect Anthony Caggiano, Margate Commissioner Elect Arlene Schwartz, Margate Economic Development Director Benjamin Ziskal, Parkland Acting Mayor David Rosenof, Michael Alessandri — Executive Director of the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, Paradise Bank Executive Vice President Kevin Rafferty, Paradise Bank Credit Analyst Glenn Martin, Mark & Andrew Remilard — Car Wash Equipment and Supplies, Bill Reicherter — Bergen Signs, Todd Faiello and Kenny Roe — Elfrink Custom Construction, Theresa Brier — Deputy District Director for Congressman Ted Deutch, Mark Lynn — Greenspoon Marder, and Tabitha Manderson-Poche — Builders Choice Permitting.
“We are very proud to break ground on our second location,” said John D’Eri. “By opening this location, we are not only giving more young adults with autism opportunities to realize their capabilities, gain confidence, make friends, gain financial independence, and have a place to call their own; but we are also providing another top-notch car wash experience to South Floridians.”
Since the April 6, 2013 opening of its first location at 7201 N. State Rd 7 in Parkland, Rising Tide has experienced great success. Rising Tide anticipates its second location will open in spring 2017. It will be built as a custom car wash from the ground up. The Margate location will be 1½ times larger than the first, and is estimated to create about 50 new jobs in the community. Including land development, equipment and construction (an additional $3.4 million), the current projected total to launch the Margate location is nearly $5 million.
Currently with 35 employees, Rising Tide, which breaks down tasks and creates systemized processes for all daily responsibilities, is one of the largest employers of people with autism in the U.S. To date, Rising Tide has created 75 jobs in the South Florida area. With the opening of the Margate car wash, Rising Tide will employ 85 people with autism between the two locations.
John and Tom D’Eri created the business to develop a scalable solution to employing individuals with autism. They were inspired by watching John’s son and Tom’s brother Andrew, a vibrant young man with autism, struggle to find his place in the world.
About Rising Tide Car Wash
Rising Tide Car Wash is a scalable social enterprise with the primary mission to employ adults with autism. By delivering a first-rate car wash experience to the consumer, Rising Tide strives to inspire communities to change their perception of the capabilities of people with autism. Through intensive training, team building and caring for the community, Rising Tide sets its employees up for success. With this model, Rising Tide has a goal to provide people with autism with an opportunity to build a career and achieve an independent lifestyle. Rising Tide Car Wash is located at 7201 N. State Rd 7, Parkland, FL 33067. A second location at 2970 N. State Rd 7 in Margate, Florida is due to open in spring 2017. Rising Tide is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.–7 p.m. For more information, visit www.risingtidecarwash.com, call (954) 344-1855 or email info@risingtidecarwash.com.
