Renovations are underway at Elevation Detailing in Blairmore, where owner Aaron Brown is converting the former candy shop, originally a 1950s gas and service station, into a full-service auto detailing and tinting business. A hidden car wash pit was uncovered during the transformation. The shop is set to open this summer.
Nicholas L.M. Allen photo
Nicholas L. M. Allen
May 21, 2025
New auto detailing and tinting shop set to open in former candy store location
A lifelong passion for pristine vehicles is taking shape in Blairmore as local resident Aaron Brown prepares to launch a full-service auto detailing and tinting business at the former candy store location along main street called Elevation Detailing.
Born in Manitoba and raised partly in Lethbridge, Brown has been working toward this dream for years.
“I’ve always been involved in detailing, it’s been a lifelong passion of mine,” said Brown. “I’ve got a bit of OCD. I just love to make cars look perfect.”
With two young kids now more independent, Brown said the time was finally right to open his own brick-and-mortar operation. He and his wife moved to the Crowsnest Pass during the pandemic and have spent the past few years waiting for the right opportunity. That chance came in the form of an unexpected building with a hidden past.
The former candy shop, located along Blairmore’s main street, turned out to be a perfect fit.
“Back in the 1950s, it opened as a gas station, then a service station,” said Brown. After some research, including a trip to the local museum, he confirmed the building once had two garage bays. That was enough to spark a renovation.
“When we ripped up the floor, we actually found a commercial car wash pit underneath. It was literally a perfect moment. We couldn’t have asked for a better building.”
Elevation Detailing will offer interior and exterior detailing for cars, boats, RVs, ATVs, and other recreational vehicles, along with automotive window tinting. Brown also plans to expand into paint protection film and vinyl wrapping down the road.
“There’s really nothing between Fernie and Lethbridge offering this kind of service,” he said.
Located conveniently across from a mining parking lot, Brown sees a wide potential customer base.
“Everybody has a car, and I want to say most people don’t like to clean them,” he said, “I like to think miners have dirty cars. So, I think we can help a lot of people.”
The business is planning a soft launch in mid-June, with a grand opening expected in July. Renovations are ongoing, with most interior work nearly complete.
As with many older buildings, the process hasn’t been without challenges.
“It’s a 67-year-old building, and we’ve had our share of surprises,” said Brown. “Nothing is really square, there was no insulation, and everything had to be brought up to modern code. But we’ve overcome the big hurdles, we’re on the home stretch now.”
Looking ahead, Brown says he’s just excited to get started and provide a service the community has been missing.
“We’re just eager to get going and we cannot wait to service everyone,” he said.
Elevation detailing is located on at 13343 20 Avenue in Blairmore.
As the garage doors open this summer, Elevation Detailing promises to bring a little more shine to the heart of the Crowsnest Pass.
