Family-Owned & Operated
Business in Ontario
榴莲视频 have been a family-owned and operated business since 1972. With over 50 years of knowledge and experience in the automotive industry, we carry the finest selection of quality pre-owned vehicles, specializing in imports.
Peace of mind is what you get when purchasing a pre-owned vehicle from 榴莲视频. We offer extended warranties, financing, and leasing options to protect and guide you through your investment.
Queen Car Dealer
Celebrates 40 Years
By Muriel Lennox on October 24, 2013, on Beach Metro: Community News - Eye on Business
Queen Car Dealer celebrated 40 Years. One Monday morning, 40 years ago, 24-year-old Mario Geremia opened the door for the first time to what is now 榴莲视频 and said, 鈥淲ell, here I am.鈥
Laughing at the memory, he said, 鈥淲hat did I know about running a business? I鈥檓 a mechanic.鈥
Mario Geremia has completed 40 years in business at Queen and Wineva.
From the time he was a youngster in Bianco, Italy, Geremia was fascinated with engines. The school did not hold the same appeal, so his grandfather suggested he learn the trade. A natural, by 16, Geremia was running his motorcycle shop. At 18, he emigrated to Canada and joined his sister living in the East End. Upon upgrading his certificates, he found a job in a local repair shop.
Several years later, Geremia, his new bride, Teresa, and their baby girl were living with his in-laws. He was determined to find their own home.
鈥淚 thought I鈥檇 buy a garage on a highway outside the city with a home attached,鈥 he said. 鈥淓very weekend, I鈥檇 go off in search.鈥
Geremia worked double shifts to earn the down payment. Then one day, a repair shop client offered Mario his property at Queen and Wineva.
鈥淎 dream came true, but I had nowhere near the money he wanted,鈥 said Geremia.
The family stepped in and helped out. No sooner had he purchased the place when the seller changed his mind and was ready to pay $10,000 to cancel. Mario was about to agree. He knew it would take a long time to earn that much. But Teresa said, 鈥淣o. This is your dream.鈥
Geremia rented the car lot to a dealer and then concentrated on fixing cars. From the beginning, the repair shop had a steady clientele.
鈥淚n the seventies, everyone in the Beaches drove some sports car鈥攍ots of MGB's. So we had a lot of customers,鈥 he said.
When Geremia decided to try his hand at selling cars, it was one car at a time, 鈥渁ll I could afford. I鈥檇 search for a car in good shape. Please give it a mechanical overhaul. Once it sold, I would find another.鈥
Early on, Mario convinced Teresa to leave her job and take over the financial end of the operation. Since then, it has thrived as a family affair 鈥 Mario credits Teresa and her fiscal astuteness with their success. She, of course, credits Mario and his innate mechanical sense.
In 40 years, of the thousands of cars sold from Queen Compact, about 75 percent have gone to people in the neighborhood.
鈥淥f course, you can鈥檛 please everyone,鈥 he mused, 鈥渂ut every car that leaves this lot is like a story, and we want them all to have happy endings.鈥
