Siblings shine
<p>JEROME A. POLLOS/Press Casey Spencer, left, and his brother Cody wipe dry a customer's car after getting a wash Monday at Hippo Car Wash in Coeur d'Alene. The two brothers and their younger sister all work at the car wash together.</p>
<p>JEROME A. POLLOS/Press Randi Spencer chats with a customer Monday at the cashier window of Hippo Car Wash.</p>
<p>JEROME A. POLLOS/Press Casey Spencer, his sister Randi and brother Cody work together at Hippo Car Wash in Coeur d'Alene.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - Three is enough, but Jared Olbricht wishes Dennis and Sally Spencer had a few more kids to go around.
"If there were more of them, I would definitely hire them, because they are great," said Olbricht, manager of Hippo Car Wash.
For now, he'll have to settle for Cody, Casey and Randi.
The siblings have been working at the car wash on Bosanko Avenue this summer.
Cody, 22, does a bit of everything, from prepping to drying to vacuuming.
Casey, 20, is the assistant manager.
And Randi, 18, is a cashier.
All three, Olbricht says, are a pleasure. No family spats here. No brotherly battles, no brother/sister squabbles. Just good, hard workers who understand teamwork and customer service. All arrive early, are willing to put in extra hours, treat customers well and pay attention to detail.
"I never had a combo like this where the whole family fit together just perfectly," he said Monday morning as crews cleaned cars and trucks rolling through the wash.
The three share some similar traits.
All are Coeur d'Alene High School grads, Cody in 2007, Casey in 2010 and Randi, 2012. All have blond hair. All are friendly, talkative, conscientious.
Cody, 22, began working at the car wash during his junior year at Coeur d'Alene High School. He recently graduated from the College of Idaho with a degree in PE and health, and landed a part-time summer job with Hippo.
Randi, 18, who also works part time, will be heading off to the University of Nevada in Reno soon.
Casey, 20, works full time and has been with Hippo two years. He and his wife, Willie, will be celebrating their first anniversary this month.
Olbricht said he's happy to balance their work schedules around their other activities, such as coaching Little League. When it comes to siblings sharing the workload, the Spencers shine.
"It's been a blessing to have them here working at Hippo," he said.
The camaraderie between the trio and fellow workers is strong.
"Everyone here is multifaceted," Casey said.
Each jumps in where needed. If Casey's prepping a car and needs a hand, Cody's quick to join him.
"You don't have to tell any one of them to go help each other out. It's kind of instinct," Olbricht said.
When Randi applied for summer work, it didn't take Olbricht long to decide to hire her.
"I said, 'Well, the brothers worked out good. I'll give her a shot,'" he said. "They actually work together really well. Sometimes with family, you don't know."
Her outgoing personality is perfect for the cashier role. Monday, she smiled and chatted with customers, always offering the free air freshener.
"I like it here," Randi said.
Cody said the siblings got along well growing up. He noted they don't get to spend that much time together these days, so he enjoys the chance to work with them. They are, he said, getting to know each other even better.
"It's been great," he said, describing them as "three amigos."
There are more Spencers out there for Olbricht to hire. It might take a little persuading, though.
"I'd get mom and dad in here if I could," he said.