Owners of Gilman Square landmark move on

By George P. Hassett

On Friday morning Vinny Vicente opened his Gilman Square gas station for the day the same way he had six days a week since 1978 -- waving to early-morning commuters who pass by his station each morning and honk hello. But this wasn’t a beginning it was an ending. After 30 years on Medford Street, the Vicente’s – Tito, Vinny and Aderito – have sold their business, a neighborhood landmark, and Friday was the last day the station was Vicente-owned.

Throughout the day, customers came into the station to say goodbye, exchanging hugs, well wishes and stories. Brian Langton said he would miss more than the gas. “I’m going to miss the conversation and the laughter and the banter.”

John Newell and his mother Birdina said they have coming to Vicente’s for their auto needs since it opened. They said the Vicente’s were quick to put the needs of the neighborhood over making an extra buck.

“Everyone knew these guys would help if they could. Even if money was short they would let you make payments by the week or the month. You don’t see that across the street,” John said, pointing to a nearby gas station. “That’s why every hour five or 10 cars pass by and honk. People appreciate them.”

When Vicente’s opened in 1978, a month after that year’s famous blizzard (“We shoveled for a month,” Vinny said), gas cost 70 cents a gallon and most neighborhood homes held several generations of families under one roof.

“There was more unity then, more families. The grandparents were upstairs, the kids were downstairs and the uncle and aunt lived next door. Today you have a lot of renters and people living month to month,” Vinny said.

The world outside may have changed but for three decades life inside Vicente’s has stayed mostly the same. Vinny helps customers in front, pointing them in the right direction (“I’m the face out there,”) and Tito and Aderito work on cars in the back.

The Vicente’s came to Somerville via the Azores as children. They lived on Pearl Street and graduated from Somerville High School’s trade program where they learned auto mechanics.

“The best thing that ever happened to me was that I had the chance to come to this country,” Vinny said on Friday. “The second best thing was that I came to Somerville. The people in this city trusted three strangers and gave me and my brothers a shot. They made us a landmark.”

Comments

[Gas Guzzler]

sorry to see them go. Great people that always gave great service to its customers and the community. Good Luck

[Travis Ritch]

I really like the service at this station. I hope the new owners run it with the same care as Vinny.

[cczcollins]

I agree they are great guys and they were strong supporter of the community. Sorry to see them go. I wish them good luck.

[Michael]

Hey Vinnie

Hate to see you go. good luck to you and tito and your crew at Vincents. Thank you. 2 things.

1. Who should we go now for car repairs?
2. Now you don't have to put up with my damn jokes anymore

Michael

[Kate]

Michael - I've had good luck with Internationial Auto Repair on 508 Somerville Avenue (next to the bicycle shop). We've been going there for approx. 7 years.

[tanisha d.]

wow this is schocking, i always go to that gas station because they always have good prices and they also pump air into my tires before i add furl to my tank.. this is sad

[Michael]

Hi Kate
thanks for the infor. By the way do I know you?
Michael

[Kate]

Hi, Michael - You're welcome. No, I don't think we know each other; Kate is not my real name.

[Imux]

Kate's real name is Pablo and he is from Meh-HEE-ko here to clean toilets.

[Michael]

of my katie is a she man INUX oh my

[Steve]

Good luck I hope everything works out for you guy's.Vinny "Let it snow"

[A friend]

Vinny, Tito & Aderito you guys were the BEST! We are glad we had the opportunity to have gotten to know you all. Thanks for all the gas fill ups and car fixings and of course our little chats..Thanks for the memories!I am gonna miss the smiles Vinny! Thanks for everything and the years you stay with us in Somerville. Good luck to all of you and may you remember the special people you have meet here on Medford Street.

[eastville]

Thanks Mr Vicente! I remember when you we temporarily REALLY close to our house, on the corner of McGrath and Pearl, and the truck drove through the window and barely missed you- crazy! I also remember when my mother traded her Mercury in for a HUGE Caprice Classic, and you told her you liked it better because the tank was bigger! You guys always had a good sense of humor, you WILL be missed!

[mary]

It is a sad day for me to know that Vicente gas station will change hands. Unfortunately today Customer Service has really vanished. They had it. We will not see that anymore I am sure of it. I think that if more companies ran their business the way they did they would have a lot of business, but they are to stupid to figure it out even though it is right under their nose. Everybody is too greedy they just want to make big money, and the heck with the customer. The Vicentes had the best customer service until the end.

[joe b]

ALWAYS A FRIENDLY SMILE AND A WAVE,THEY ARE GOING TO BE MISSED