A legal battle and family dispute over building ownership has resulted in eviction. The community is now rallying through a fundraiser.
GREENWICH, CT — Since 1922, Freccia Brothers Garage has operated at the iconic white building located at 246 West Putnam Ave. in Greenwich.
From working on horse-drawn carriages before Route 1 was even paved, to restoring vintage Volkswagen Beetles today, the garage has become an institution in town. It has made it through the Great Depression, World War II era, the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, a legal battle and family dispute over ownership of the building has resulted in the business' eviction, and now the community is rallying to help Freccia Brothers Garage find a new home.
The business was started by Frank Freccia Sr. and his brother Gene in 1922. After focusing on repairing and repainting horse-drawn carriages, the business evolved and eventually began to work on repairing cars, especially in the 1940s.
In the 1960s, the garage started working on air-cooled cars and Volkswagens, which were catching on in popularity.
Old photos posted by the garage show Volkswagens of all kinds and colors parked alongside West Putnam Avenue.
Over time, the garage has established a reputation as a nationwide leader in air-cooled and vintage Volkswagen repairs, restorations and sales.
Frank Freccia Sr's son, Frank "Skip" Freccia Jr., took over the business, and worked alongside his son, Frank Freccia III, for many decades until Skip's death in 2018. Frank Freccia III began working in the garage at age 10.
Skip's wife and Frank Freccia III's mother, Theresa Freccia, in her capacity as executor of the estate of the decedent, sought to obtain a judgement of possession of the garage property in court, as well as other properties on Byram Road and Locust Street.
The court rendered a judgment in favor of Theresa Freccia, saying in a memorandum of decision in November 2022 after trial that "the defendants once had a right and/or privilege to possess the various premises but that right has been terminated."
Superior Court Judge Walter M. Spader Jr. wrote in his memorandum that the evidence presented in court "did not indicate that 'Skip' Freccia conveyed, or intended to convey, the ownership of any of the parcels in question in this matter to his children/grandchildren in occupancy thereof."
"He did not leave any instructions to the plaintiff to allow possession 'forever' to any defendants herein. There is no unjust enrichment to the plaintiff individually, or to the Estate for the plaintiff to pursue these actions," Spader wrote.
Despite claims and arguments from the defendants, Spader noted Skip Freccia's "will/the actual written trusts unequivocally conveyed these properties to the plaintiff (either individually or in trust) without a reservation for the defendants."
The court granted the defendants a stay of execution through March 31, 2023.
Subsequent appeals have been unsuccessful, as outlined in an opinion from the CT Appellate Court. An appeal has also been made to the CT Supreme Court.
"My client is pleased with the consistent decisions of the Connecticut Superior Court, Appellate Court and Supreme Court," Mark A. Sank, attorney for Theresa Freccia, said in an emailed statement to Patch this week.
The business was notified earlier this month that they had to vacate the garage building this week, Guinevere Freccia said in a phone interview Tuesday.
Guinevere is Frank III's daughter and the fifth-generation of Freccias to work at the garage. She said a request was recently denied to pause the eviction so the case could be examined in probate court.
"[Skip] told the family to take care of each other. The shop was supposed to go into the trust, and that's what the majority of the beneficiaries are asking to be done. This never should have been taken away. This is my father's whole life," Guinevere said.
In a Facebook post on Aug. 22, Guinevere announced the launch of a GoFundMe fundraiser with a $250,000 goal.
Proceeds will help the business find a new home. Guinevere said in the fundraiser's description that nearly all of the family's savings have been poured into the multi-year legal battle to try and save the garage.
"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," the description says.
"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," the description adds.
In a letter posted to Facebook by Freccia Brothers Garage, Guinevere reiterated the business did not fail - it was "forced out."
"After 103 years of business, we were evicted by our landlord—Frank’s mother, my grandmother. All but one of Skip’s children are rallying to keep the shop open," wrote Guinevere. She noted the Freccias don't want to leave the building, but they "will respect the law."
"Know this: we poured our hearts, our pride, and our lives into this little shop. We wish we could stay. Now you know the truth. With your help, we will rebuild—and the Freccia legacy will drive on," she added.
People left words of support in the comments.
"I'm so sorry Guinevere. A terrible situation. Freccia Bros has always been behind the community, doing the right thing by it's [sic] customers and we are behind you & Freccia Brothers!" one commenter said.
"Oh, no! That's terrible. Freccia Bros is an American/International Institution. Sorry to hear this," another person said in a subsequent post.
As of Friday afternoon, the GoFundMe had garnered over $28,000.
"It's my whole life, it's my sanctuary, it's my happy place," Guinevere told Patch of the garage. "It's hard work but I don't go there begrudgingly. I love going there every morning, I love seeing the customers, I love hearing their stories."
Guinevere said the holiday season was always a favorite time for her at the garage.
The Freccias would get together at the shop as a family and hang Christmas decorations on the iconic building.
In a January 2023 interview following a proclamation ceremony in which the business celebrated its 100th anniversary, Frank Freccia III told Patch the connection to the community was special.
"We have people stopping in saying, 'Don't ever leave, don't change. I've been driving by here my whole life,'" Freccia III said at the time. "That's a great feeling. It's about enjoying what we do every day. I don't think I've dreaded coming into work my whole life. It's been fun."
The support for the GoFundMe fundraiser has meant a lot to Guinevere, who thanked many in the community for stopping by the garage and offering to help in their time of need.
"I think it means we've been doing the right thing all these years. We've taken care of the customers, we've taken care of the community, and they always say karma comes back around. I always believe if you can do the right thing and help someone, just do it," she said.
Guinevere vowed that the business will continue.