Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Ludlow Garage is closing its doors on Saturday after more than 50 years in business.
Co-owner Jerome Vasconcellos (below left) and his brother-in-law, Mario Marques, decided to sell their auto repair mechanic shop at 151 Attorney St. between Houston and Stanton and rent out the Ludlow Garage body shop directly across the street.
Mario has been in the business for 57 years, Jerome for 51. Ludlow Garage was on Ludlow between Rivington and Stanton before moving to Attorney Street in 1982.
The two own both buildings and the businesses housed in them.
The new owner of the complete auto repair/mechanic building on the west side of the street will be using the space as a private garage for personal use to store his vehicles — it will not be torn down.
The body shop will be rented out, and the new owner taking over the smaller space will likely keep the three employees.
I asked Jerome a series of questions while visiting the garage on Tuesday.
Why sell now after all these years?
"We're tired. OK, we're tired," Jerome told me. "We work six days a week, 12 to 14 hours a day, you know? Maybe I am going to spend a little time with my kids. Enjoy time with them, make it up to them for when I wasn't there. When you own a business, it's tough. I'm ready to retire… and move down to Florida. One of my kids lives in the Bronx, and two live in Florida."
"I get up at 4:30 in the morning so I can leave Rockland County [where Jerome and his wife Letitia, the shop's office manager, live], and I don't leave here until 6 p.m., so I don't get home until 7:30, depending on traffic. It's a lot of hours."
Where will Ludlow Garage customers go?
"I'm selling the customer database to someone reputable so customers can still get service," Jerome said. "So when they call this number, it will go to another mechanic shop."
Have you told your customers?
"Yeah, the customers know. All my good customers have my personal cell phone — they can call me if they have a problem, and you know I will refer them, or if they need advice, I can help," he said. "I have customers who left here years ago still call me from Wisconsin, Ohio, all over — just for advice. I tell them, "Just text me, and I'll get back to you right away." I always call back. The way I do business — it's not about the money; it's about doing the right thing."
And what will happen to the remaining vehicles?
"I am trying to notify every customer. The new owner will take possession in February, but I have six weeks to get this place emptied."
And across the street at the body shop?
"The new renter will start in January. He'll change the name. But he hasn't said the new name yet."
What would you say to the people who are sad about the closure?
"I would say, first of all, thank them for the business they've given us — the whole neighborhood has given me the opportunity to serve them. I appreciate everything over the years," he said. "I came to this community from nothing and watched it go from bad to better. I've seen the whole transition. I come from Guyana."
He's emotional, and I am, too. On a personal note, I see these folks all the time, and I will miss them.
I blink back a tear and grab my camera equipment to get some photos of the team, the space, the cars, and the equipment. The team points out a 100-year-old car ("from 1925, Stacie!"), a historic rotor and break machine on its way to the Bronx, and a few vehicles that Jerome is working on restoring.
Jerome later lets me on the truck lift for an elevated vantage point for photos. He jokes, "Don't jump! We don't have insurance for that."
16 comments:
I wish them well in their retirement, but I will miss them terribly.
I am sorry to see Jerome and his garage close this was my mainstay go to place for all my repairs for years on my Oldsmobile Cutliss which would not be running anymore without them. I wish him a good retirement and hope I can find another good mechanic.
Sad to see them go.
Oh Christ and this just when we've barely recovered since Daryl sold the Mobile station lo those many years ago (that still seems like yesterday.) As did everyone else when he closed up shop, we dutifully drove ourselves down and over to Attorney Street and introduced ourselves to the fine folks at Ludlow Street Garage. Though we of course wish them the very best it may also be true that this is the worst thing to ever happen to us in our entire lives. Best, JG + Family.
The nicest people and work you can depend on especially for cars still going strong after decades of use. I wish them well in their retirement. Replacing them is going to be a challenge especially for Manhattan residents.
I am so grateful to them, the staff here truly saved us. I hope everyone ends up where they want to be and congratulations on retirement. We will miss you! I wish owning businesses like this wasn’t so difficult, these places create the sense of community we need so badly.
They will be missed!
They are such an important part of the fabric of the LES and really the last of the local auto shops left. They will be so missed. I always bought used cars and depended on them to keep them running and they did. Even after i bought a new car from the dealer id still go to them for inspections or other little things even though it was covered under warranty but taking it to the dealer would take forever and those guys always took care of me. Happy retirement you guys deserve it
Never owned a car in New York City but the drivers I know have always spoken highly of this crew. Good work and enjoy.
Noting "The new owner of the complete auto repair/mechanic building on the west side of the street will be using the space as a private garage for personal use to store his vehicles"
A private garage in Manhattan says something about the neighborhood in 2024.
Thanks, Jerome and crew for all your prompt and courteous service in keeping our 1999 Infinity up and running for myself and my handicapped wife. It has helped us immensely. We are sad to see you go, but, after 50 years you certainly deserve a happy retirement. We may call to see if you can give us a nearby replacement garage, but, if you are busy at this time we can understand why you may not be able to reply. Thank you for supporting OLS.
Best wishes,
Peter & Cynthia Chaffee
Bummer, great business, really helpful since there are not many in the area and you could trust them.
Wonderful people, and I wish them the best. Anybody know where the staff will be going?
Aw so sad to hear! Such nice people and always so helpful and welcoming! I used to live across the street from this shop, and would bring my car in for inspection! Wish them well on their retirement!
Bummer! As a relatively new customer, I was impressed with their service and amazed at how they managed on such a narrow street. A unique LES institution, they will be missed!
You know, taking care of a vehicle that hurdles you through space at 70 miles an hour is a big deal and something that if we are lucky, our parents teach us about. Jerome and his wife Letitia have such big hearts I always felt taken care of. Feeling so happy for them and their family spending delicious years and filling them up with meaningful memories. Wishing them the best from their lower east side neighbors!
For the past several years I have taken my best friend's car to them for the yearly NY State inspection. They were always so nice, helpful & quick. A few months ago I went & the city was tearing up the street, someone had just limped in ahead of me with an emergency. Usually, there were also cars double parked waiting for service, too. Once again, they got me in and out in under an hour. I guess after being there 50 years they have figured out how to streamline the LES narrow street 'fuster cluk' of congestion down there and make it work for everyone. I will miss them, too.
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