Community Rallies to Support Freccia Bros Garage after Eviction Ruling

A longtime family business operating on West Putnam Avenue is in jeopardy following an eviction ruling in court.

Freccia Bros Garage has operated at 246 West Putnam Avenue since 1922. The business started as a repair shop for carriages in the horse and buggy era and later pivoted to servicing motor vehicles.  

The family business has been passed down through generations, with several mechanics named “Frank Freccia” being sought out for their expertise.

Today, Frank Freccia III is a longtime presence in the garage. He works beside daughter Guinevere who created an online presence for the garage, as well as the iconic Lilly the Car that has her own life on social media. Also, Guinevere’s husband Dave D’Andrea Jr is an accomplished VW mechanic in his own right. Darla the French Bulldog with Guinevere and her father Frank Freccia at Freccia Bros Garage, Volkswagen experts on West Putnam Ave. June 2022 Photo: Leslie Yager

During the 1950s, the business was a thriving used car dealer with up to 100 cars lined up for sale.

The 1960s were a turning point. That was the decade that Freccia Bros garage started working on Volkswagens.

The  original Freccia Brothers were Frank’s great grandfather and his sons, and starting at the age of 10 Frank III worked alongside his father, “Skip,” grandfather and great uncle.

In a 2022 interview Frank said that in the 1970s, VW Beetles were ubiquitous, and that at any given time, 10 VW bugs might be lined up at the red light outside the garage, with many beeping their horns to say hello or just to signal their love of the cars.

Salesmen visited on a regular basis with Volkswagen mufflers and spark plugs in their trunks.

Up the road, Caldor operated with a dedicated Volkswagen parts section.

In 2022 Freccia Bros Garage marked a century in business in Greenwich, and Frank said he had no plans to retire.

He said he enjoyed how for decades drivers have craned their necks to take a look at the newest VW project at 246 West Putnam Avenue. He noted much of the appeal of classic Volkswagens is nostalgia and fond memories of simpler times.

The business made it through the Depression and World War II, and though Frank was worried when the pandemic brought lockdowns to Greenwich and beyond, Covid proved to be a boon to business.

While Frank has noted the irony that VWs – originally considered  functional, affordable family cars – are now prized by collectors who often pay upwards of $100,000 at national auctions for VW buses in good condition, what might be harder to reconcile is the thought of leaving 246 West Putnam Ave after 100+ years.

With its wooden floors and VWs from the 60s and 70s in various states of repair, the garage itself seems frozen in time.

In a popular post on Facebook over the weekend, Guinevere wrote, “After Frank II Freccia (Skip) passed away in 2018, a family trust dispute arose, led by Theresa Freccia, Skip’s wife. This dispute resulted in the eviction of our business.”

She added, “We are now raising $250,000 to secure a new garage and preserve this historic business for generations to come. Any support—financial or by sharing our story—will help keep this Greenwich institution alive.“

Gene Freccia set up a GoFundMe page for the effort, “Save Freccia Brothers Garage,” and within days over 80 donations in a variety of amounts were secured.

The GoFundMe says, “For years, we have been embroiled in a legal family trust dispute over ownership of the building where Freccia Brothers has always been. Despite being hopeful that it would work out, unfortunately we’ve just learned that we lost the dispute and the family member who won has decided to immediately evict us.”

Further the explanation continues: “We need help in order to secure a new space and re-open Freccia Bros. Nearly all of our savings have been poured into a 3+ year legal battle to try and save the shop. Every dollar you contribute goes toward helping us recover — critical expenses, securing a new space, stabilizing our future, and preserving what’s left of a century-old institution that should have never been taken away.”

After just three days the GoFundMe has over 80 donors and nearly $17,000 in donations toward the goal.

In a statement on Sunday, Guinevere wrote, “for over a century, Freccia brothers Garage has been a Greenwich landmark, serving the community as a trusted local business since 1922. Founded by the Freccia family on historic Route 1, we began by painting horse-drawn carriages and evolved into a full service automotive shop, becoming known for air-cooled Volkswagens by the 1960s. Over the years, our garage has not only kept cars on the road but also brought the community together through holiday displays, toy drives and decades of local service. After Frank II Freccia (Skip) passed away in 2018, a family trust dispute arose, led by Theresa Freccia, Skip’s wife. This dispute resulted in the eviction of our business. Three of the four beneficiaries are united in supporting Skip’s wish to keep Freccia Brothers Garage operating as it always has.operated today by fourth and fifth generation Freccias – Frank III Freccia and Guinevere Freccia – and longtime mechanic David D’Andrea Jr., Freccia Brothers Garage remains thriving, loyal to our customers, and ready to continue serving the community. We are now raising $250,000 to secure a new garage and preserve this historic business for generations to come. Any support – financial or by sharing our story – will help keep this Greenwich institution alive. The majority of the family supports it being and staying open.

See also:

Volkswagen Experts, Freccia Bros Garage Marks 100 Years in Greenwich June 27, 2022