Greenwich Motor Sales, in the Caviola Family Since 1950s

Sometimes it seems possible to count the number of Greenwich's family owned businesses on one hand. Greenwich Motor Sales which does repair work and sells used cars and operates a towing service complete with flatbed

Patty recalls growing up in Glenville where her grandfather worked at the felt factory, which is now "The Mill" complex, and home to the restaurant, Centro.
"The water would run blue and green from the chemicals they used to dye the felt" Patty said. "We'd go meet him at 3:00p.m. when the whistle blew and he'd smell of the chemicals."

Patty said her grandparents started the business after World War II. "My grandmother Olga was the daughter of Russian immigrants. She cashed in war bonds and my grandfather Charles bought a car to fix up. She did the detailing and my grandfather did the repairs. They sold it and bought another. After a while they made enough to fix up two cars at a time."

Patty said the Caviola kids went to the old Byram School and then the old High School, which now houses the town hall.

"In high school we'd walk down the hill to Greenwich Ave. – a two way street back then – and we'd go to Greenwich Drug Store for a hamburger and then sneak back to school," she said, adding. "You had to be careful because everybody knew you back then."

Patty said her parents started their business in Port Chester and later rented a building for their business where the Dunkin Donuts is located at 271 West Putnam Ave. But for the better part of 60 years they have been in their current spot at 366 West Putnam Ave, having tried to find someone to move the original home that sat on the spot. With no takers, the house was torn down. 

Caviola describes some old fashioned services offered at Greenwich Motor Sales, where customers are greeted by Buster the dog. Buster is a sweetheart, but many longtime customers remember Jon Caviola's beloved "Angel," the office dog who lived to 16 and more than once served in lieu of ID at the bank when Patty went to make a deposit.

These days Greenwich Motor Sales specializes in both selling used cars and doing repair work.

"We help you if you have a flat tire, unlike some dealer service operations that want you to make an appointment," Patty said. "If you're in trouble – maybe your warning light goes on that your engine is overheating or you have a flat tire – you can just pull in and we'll help you. You can't drive into the gas station. All they have is a gas an a convenience store."

A few years ago Greenwich Motor Sales bought a towing service, complete with a flatbed which is the safest way to tow a car. They tow 365 days of the year. Find them at Greenwich Towing For towing call (203) 769-5284.

For the Greenwich Motor Sales repair shop call (203) 869-0432