NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A West Nashville icon now has a new home.

Pinkie, a life-sized elephant statue, has been the talk of the town after he briefly disappeared from its prominent spot in West Nashville for repairs.

The statue has plenty of fans in Nashville for the joy he creates, as well as photo opportunities and a few good laughs.

When he left his old home at University Motors, the community was concerned about where he went.

But now Pinkie is back and better than ever.

He went through some much-needed repairs and is now officially a resident of Clean Getaway Auto Wash on Charlotte Pike.

The new owner, Paul Budslick, grew up in Nashville and has many memories of passing by Pinkie as a young boy. He told News 2 when Pinkie's fate was in question, it was a no-brainer to buy the elephant and display him one of his car washes.

He said he hopes Pinkie continues to give people the same warm feeling when seeing him as he did when he was younger.

"It was really important to us as well, as the former owner of Pinkie, to make sure he stayed in West Nashville," Budslick told News 2. "He's really a part of West Nashville and he's been here for about 50 years, so it was important that he stayed here and all the people passing by will get to enjoy him, like I did as a kid."

Budslick said he plans to move Pinkie around different car washes, as well as bring back the tradition of taking the statue to kids' birthday parties.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/middle-tn-neighborhood-news/pinkie-the-elephant-home-west-nashville-car-wash/