A beloved Connecticut institution, the Freccia Brothers Volkswagen garage, is being forcibly evicted from its home of nearly 60 years following a bitter and complex feud over a family trust. The shocking closure marks the end of an era for the local community and leaves 15 employees facing an uncertain future.
The Heart of the Matter: A Family Trust Turns Sour
At the centre of this distressing saga is a dispute over the property's ownership. The garage was operated by the Freccia brothers, Louis and Paul, who leased the building from a trust established by their father, Alfred Freccia. The trust was created to provide for his widow, Angelina Freccia.
However, following Angelina's passing, the successor trustees—the brothers' nephew, David Freccia, and his mother—initiated legal proceedings to evict the business. A judge ruled in the trustees' favour, ordering the garage to vacate the premises by October 1st, a deadline that has now passed.
A Community Stunned and Employees Left in the Lurch
The eviction has sent shockwaves through the local community, where the garage was a fixture since 1964. Customers have expressed outrage and sadness at the loss of a trusted and reliable local business.
The human cost is equally severe. Fifteen long-serving employees have been made redundant, their livelihoods casualties of the family disagreement. The brothers have stated they are unable to afford the skyrocketing rent reportedly demanded by the trust to stay in the location, effectively sealing the garage's fate.
Eviction Executed Amidst Emotional Goodbyes
The process of closing down has been emotionally charged. The garage's signs have been removed, and the showroom now stands empty. Former employees have been onsite packing up tools and personal belongings, a sombre task that underscores the finality of the situation.
This story is a stark reminder of how internal family disputes can spill over, devastating a successful business, costing jobs, and depriving a community of a cherished local landmark.
