It marks the formal expansion of NU Detail Place, a business that began as a personal passion and has grown into a regional auto detailing service.

Delacruz first discovered his love for detailing while studying Auto Body Collision and Repair in college. Working part-time at a local body shop, he began preparing finished vehicles for customers. 

“It started when I got to detail high-end vehicles that customers trusted me with,” he said. “I got to drive cars I never thought I’d ever get to drive, that was the moment I knew this is what I wanted to do.”

According to Delacruz, a typical job at NU Detail Place focuses heavily on deep interior cleaning, removing dog hair, crumbs, spilled drinks, and everyday wear that leaves vehicles looking tired. The full process begins with an interior and exterior inspection to create a custom plan. 

Adam Delacruz carefully wipes down the interior surfaces of a vehicle. (Photo by Adam Delacruz)

He said the team starts on the dirtiest areas: cleaning wheels, followed by a pre-rinse, foam cannon soap application, hand washing, and drying. 

Delacruz takes special pride in using high-grade tools and professional techniques, including steam cleaning and carpet extraction, that go far beyond a basic wipe-down. “We don’t just clean vehicles, we restore them,” he said.

The relocation to North Broadway has provided the business with greater visibility and operational capacity that simply wasn’t possible in the old residential garage on Center Street. 

The move also coincided with increased media attention. Delacruz was recently featured in Voyage Minnesota, a milestone he called “a great honor” that has kept him motivated.

“The response from the community has been very positive,” Delacruz said. “We’ve had people reach out from towns such as Fairfax, Springfield, and Fairmont. It has also led to radio stations and other magazines contacting us for interviews.”

The new home of NU Detail Place at 109 N. Broadway St. in New Ulm (Photo by Adam Delacruz)

The new space has delivered clear improvements in daily operations. 

“The biggest change has been efficiency and visibility,” Delacruz explained. “In the old setup, space and visibility were very limited. Now we can work comfortably, handle multiple vehicles, and stay more organized. People can drive right down Broadway and see our location and stop right in.”

To match the professional new location, Delacruz rebranded the business as NU Detail Place, a name he says feels clearer and more professional. 

The larger facility has also allowed the shop to take on bigger trucks and some commercial equipment that wouldn’t fit in the old garage.

With growing demand, Delacruz is now focused on building the right team. 

“The demand for our services is growing, so we are working on bringing in new faces so we can increase capacity and continue to deliver high-quality results,” he said.

While media coverage has brought in new faces, word-of-mouth remains a major driver. Many customers still come from referrals by satisfied clients. One memorable moment came when a mother picked up her SUV after a deep interior clean. 

“The interior had been covered in crackers, crumbs, and everyday wear from the kids,” Delacruz recalled. “When she got it back, she cried, gave me a hug, and thanked me for making it look new again for her family.”

For the rest of 2026, the goal is steady growth. “More bookings, a stronger local presence, and building NU Detail Place into the go-to detail shop in the area,” Delacruz said.

Delacruz credits his family, including his wife Christina and their children Ava, Adam, Evan, Elizabeth, Carter, and Hailey, for their constant support. By turning his passion for detailing into a professional operation on Broadway, he has created a growing business that contributes to New Ulm’s downtown economy.