Vinsetta Garage in Berkley, MI, opened for business in 1919. Prior to closing recently, it claimed to be the oldest family-owned repair shop east of the Mississippi.
Below is the article as it appeared on The Daily Tribune website.
Oldest car repair shop closes
By Catherine Kavanaugh, Daily Tribune Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, December 05, 2010
BERKLEY — Woodward Avenue was a two-track dirt road when the Vinsetta Garage opened to service horse-drawn carriages and Model Ts circa 1919.
Now old M-1 is a national scenic byway that draws 30,000 classic car owners for the Woodward Dream Cruise, but the 91-year-old repair shop is no longer one of its landmark businesses.
Last week owner Jack Marwil, 54, of Berkley closed the business with its art deco sign and vintage gasoline pumps to pursue his own 30-year dream to go to law school.
"It was the oldest family-owned auto repair facility east of the Mississippi," Marwil said. "The decision to close was an arduous, lengthy, painful decision for me. It’s a recognition of where I am at in my life and the recent loss of my wife, Mary Kay. That really altered my thinking."
Mary Kay Stark-Marwil died from breast cancer on Oct. 1. She was 58.
On Friday, Marwil struck a deal with Rick Kilbourn, the owner of Fourth Street Auto Repair, Royal Oak, to take over Vinsetta Garage’s assets and estimated 1,500 to 1,800 customers.
"They will have continuity of care and no issues with their warranties. Their vehicle histories will be in his possession," Marwil said. "This is similar to selling a medical practice. You want a good fit with personality and capability. Rick is highly regarded."
To read the entire article, visit The Daily Tribune website at http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/2010/12/05/online/srv0000010187328.txt#photo1.