Union Square - Somerville Community Blog

So, I guess you heard about the flooding?

Well, we got slammed here in Union Square! So didn't our friends down the way in East Somerville. Most of us in the area were without power and some were even under water (can't really get your Somerville auto repair if everything is floating).

Have no fear, Mike's faithful! Like many of our Union Square compadres we are back in action!

But what a mess it was.... Check out these photos posted by the Somerville News. (Notice all of the water in front of the Precinct? Yeah, we're right across the street!)

We know you must have your own flood story.

Let us know - we can't wait to hear it!

At Mike's we are used to hearing warranty horror stories from our new customers. They are always relieved when they find out we offer an unmatched 2 year/24,000 mile warranty.

Unfortunately, they usually have taken quite a beating before they get here.

One of our customers named Susan shared her warranty nightmare with us. Susan had been to many places for auto repair - from the big pricey dealerships to other independent shops.

Susan's last encounter with one of these shops was her last! She had paid for new front and rear brakes in her car. One day Susan began to hear noise coming from front-end every time she applied her brakes. Like most people, she went back to the service provider, explained she had brake work performed there, and asked that her car be inspected.

It wasn't long before the service provider came back with a diagnosis - the brake pads had worn out! Susan was relieved at first, as she assumed they would be warrantied.

Then came the bad news - Susan had the brake work performed 13 months ago. And there it was...the infamous 1year/12,000 mile warranty had struck again!

Susan was infuriated!

Needless to say, Susan didn't pay that shop another dime! That's when she found Mike's - and the first thing she asked was about our warranty. She was more than happy when she found that we warranty our work for twice as long as the other guys! Yeah, we definitely made a new friend that day!

Some of our customers have had just as bad luck when they have purchased aftermarket warranties - those are the warranties sold to you before something goes wrong and are supposed to cover you when something does.

Recently, Mike Sr. saw a customer's warranty nightmare first-hand. One of our new clients paid nearly $3,000 to a national company for her aftermarket warranty, and was told that it would cover a host of basic services.

The customer's car was diagnosed with having a faulty alternator. When Mike Sr. delivered the news to her warranty company he was shocked at their response - they wanted to send him a used alternator to put into her car!

$3,000 and she gets a used alternator? Incredible!

Mike wouldn't have any part in this. He promptly informed the customer of the situation. She decided to pay for the new alternator herself.

At least now she has a quality product and the Mike's warranty!

Have you encountered your own warranty nightmares?

Tell us - we'd love to know!

One of our local heroes here in Somerville got some big news recently. Carmelo Mula has been named a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the president of France. The Legion of Honor was created by Napoleon in 1802 - we're talking something special here!

Mr. Mula has been bestowed this honor for his noble service during World  War II, during which time he contributed to the liberation of France.

Carmelo Mula served in General George Patton's Third Army. Through his heroic endeavors he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star for the European Theater of Operations, three Bronze Battle Starts for the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, the American Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory medal.

He also earned his corporal stripes during the Battle of the Bulge. Now that's something to be proud of!

We are so happy to see a great man like this honored. The Greatest Generation is dwindling in numbers and need to be honored while they are still with us!

This serves as a reminder for our community: freedom isn't free. It seems that many of us have managed to lose that concept.  It's kind of striking when you think about it - we have men and women fighting for us overseas - but collectively, we go on with our daily lives like nothing has changed.

How soon we forgot the horror of 9/11 - just like the terrorists predicted. 

Mr. Mula's service, along with 9/11 is something we should carry with us every day. It's the concept of sacrifice that we need to pass on to future generations. If those before us didn't to it - where would we be?

Next time you're here in Union Square, whether it be grabbing a bite to eat or getting your Somerville auto repair - stop and thank a veteran. After all, if it wasn't for veterans - you wouldn't be here!

Hat's off Mr. Mula! And most important of all - thank you! 

What a victory for small business!

The Zoning Board of Appeals have ruled in what can only be called a tremendous upset! Dipti and Umesh Mistri have won approval to move their specialty market, Little India, to a new location.

This was a battle of biblical proportion - one to tell the grandkids! The Mistris have operated Little India here in Somerville since 1985. They have always dreamed of expanding. However, they were nearly stopped in their tracks.

In another instance of big business trying to crush the little man, the proposed move of Little India to a bigger space just diagonal from its current Bow Street home, was challenged by its much bigger neighbor - Market Basket.

The Mistris were shocked! (Weren't we all.) Market Basket - afraid of Little India?  The new location is right next door, but still....

Thankfully, the Mistris had local attorney Rick DiGirolamo on their side. Rich fought on behalf of the Mistris and delivered a major win!

We understand that Market Basket was concerned about parking - I mean, who isn't? But really, this is Somerville. Parking has always been and will always be an issue. We see it here in Union Square all the time (thankfully we have our own lot).

If you want to run your business in the city, then get used to city life.

Never mind, a small family-owned grocer named Little India? I don't think Market Basket is going to lose too much business. And as far as parking goes, Little India doesn't have any now - it's a specialty store. Note to Market Basket: that's not high volume! Talk about blowing something out of proportion.

Penny-pinching titans with a scorched earth policy - we don't need 'em!

Somerville is synonymous with small business and it is about time little guys like us stand up to the corporate behemoths! Whether it's Somerville car repair, or international groceries, the little man is alive and well in Somerville. And he's just getting ready to fight!

Congrats, Mistris! Can't wait to see the new place!

Our Mayor, Joe Curtatone was out in full force recently as he spoke to a very important group: those in their twenties and thirties.

The Mayor was center stage at the Burren, where he gave his State of Young Somerville address. The event was put together by the Young Somerville Advisory Group (YSAG).

Mayor Joe's task wasn't an easy one - trying to convince those aged 21-35 to stay in Somerville.

Curtatone wasted no time acknowledging the white elephant in the room - the cost of living in Massachusetts. He poignantly noted that many young residents are fleeing the state.

This is a problem that we have been dealing with for quite some time - especially here in the city. 

Our young people are leaving in droves! It used to just be for the warmer weather. Now it is also for the wealth of opportunity that exists in the South and West.

Young people can stay here in Somerville with the high cost of living - or head down to North Carolina where a job in the Research Triangle and a house half the price awaits. Maybe go a little more west and snag a great tech job in Austin, Texas. 

But that's where Mayor Curtatone really shined. He didn't just talk about where Somerville is now - he talked about where it's going!

More green space, the community path, assembly square, the redeveloped Inner Belt and the Green Line Extension!

Somerville is a city on the move!

What's more, Somerville is a city rich in character. An historic community with a diverse population. Fabulous restaurants and shopping. An urban oasis at the gates of Boston.

Good luck finding that in the Research Triangle! Not happening!

The antiseptic feel of those other communities will leave you wishing you were right back here eating your BBQ at Redbones.

So, the next time you stop by for your Somerville auto repair, look around and remember something - this place isn't so bad after all!

Keep up the fight, Mayor Joe! 

The Green Line Extension is creating some news in the communities it will serve - Somerville, Medford and Cambridge. 

There is now word that the green and red lines could connect someday in Porter Square!

According to Katherine Fichter, project manager for the Green Line Extension, this is something that could happen in the far, far future.

Yes, I know - that statement doesn't sound extremely promising. But at least it's on the table!

Connecting the green and red lines is a fantastic idea! 

It's time our elected officials acknowledge that the Greater Boston area is truly "greater" than just Boston!

Why should we have to go in and out of Boston to go from Union Square to Porter Square? That's insane! Just like the fact that our friends in East Cambridge have to go on a trek by bus just to get to Harvard Square. Insane!

Does Beacon Hill not realize that we have a little something to offer here in Somerville and Cambridge? Did they miss the memo that said the patrons of the Green Line Extension shouldn't have to ride into Park Street station just to grab the red line? 

Just think - come get your Somerville auto repair here in Union and whiz down to Porter on the green line! 

I understand that the current Green Line Extension must happen first. But after that - the connection to Porter Square is a must! Let's make sure it happens!

Things are also heating up in Medford. The State is balking at completing the Green Line Extension in one phase.

Yes, you guessed it - crying broke again! Supposedly, due to the "economic conditions" there isn't enough money to complete the Mystic Valley/Route 16 terminating stop by the December, 31, 2014 deadline - when the rest of the extension is legally mandated to be completed.

So they are now talking two phases - one for everything up to College Avenue in Medford - and another for the Mystic Valley stop.

But wait - not enough money? What happened to all that fabulous stimulus money? Nearly 1 trillion dollars of stimulus and no money for Mystic Valley?

We have bankrupted our country and can't event get a T stop?

It's time for Governor Patrick to utilize his Obama ties to make this happen! The people of Medford should not be considered second-rate!

If Washington has spent all of its newly-printed money then it's time for Beacon Hill to step-up and get the job done!

A recent tweet by @camberville told us something we already know here at Mike's: Neighborhood Restaurant rocks!

This fellow Union Square business has been a favorite of ours for years! Sheila and her team make you feel like family. There's no place like it around!

@camberville was having brunch under the grapevines. The Neighborhood has fabulous outdoor seating - all situated under lush grapevines - it's like a Mediterranean oasis in the middle of Somerville.

I can honestly say that one of my favorite things to do in the summer is go to the Neighborhood for breakfast.

There is absolutely nothing better than their cream of wheat (yes, I said cream of wheat). And no, stop thinking of the guy wearing the chef's hat on the box in the supermarket. I am talking homemade cream of wheat like you have never had your entire life! It comes with every breakfast entrée (or fruit - but that's a no-brainer).

So, next time your looking for a little Somerville car repair, you can get a little cream of wheat too!

Don't get me wrong - you don't have to just go for breakfast - that's just my favorite.  Lunch is great too! Some of the best linguica around!

And if you like seafood...well, welcome home!

Ether way, if your coming into Mike's for some service, take a stroll over to Neighborhood Restaurant - and tell Sheila we sent you - you won't want to leave!

Rest assured - after-hours pick-ups are available!

If one thing is true about Somerville, it is that we are a diverse city! And that diversity can be seen more than ever at Somerville High School - something that we embrace here at Mike's Auto.

In fact, one of our own technicians went from Somerville High School to Somerville auto repair (haha - get it? Okay, maybe not). (Yes - we're one of those crazy organizations that actually hires people who were educated at our local schools.) 

There are tons of other great kids at Somerville High, many of which just celebrated the annual multicultural fair. Check out the performances below. These kids rock! (I'm diggin' the tango!).

These kids are the future of our city. I think it's safe to say that the future is looking bright!

Rock on, Highlanders! 

Somerville auto service...what Somerville auto service?

Yes - despite the endless construction - we are still here! At Mike's we have been dealing with construction for what seems like forever.

We keep wondering - when will it end? I am sure that many of you have noticed that Somerville Ave. is a mess! I think I can get down Newbury Street quicker. 

Every time I drive down that road I get stuck - just like this guy who was spotted by the Somerville Journal.

It's tough when this is all happening right in your own backyard.

Every day we hear stories from our customers about these traffic nightmares.

The construction started at Porter Square and has a destination of - you guess it - Union Square! Talk about a big project, huh?

This is like Somerville's big dig! 

With all of this going on, Union Square is already a bit chaotic at times (I'm sure it will only get worse as they get closer).

But in the end, we will have a brand new square - one that will signify the future of Somerville!

This project is really going to put Union Square on the map. Coupled with the Green Line extension - Union Square is going to be the urban center of choice. 

Watch out Davis Square - there's a new kid on the block! And he's going to be bigger and better!

Honestly, the situation is driving us crazy (no pun intended), but the payoff is going to be worth it!

Things are about to change in Union Square....

The Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership (STEP) reports that the State has selected a new site for the future Green Line maintenance facility. 

The decision is a huge victory for the Brickbottom neighborhood and the entire city of Somerville. MassDOT has chosen option L the maintenance facility, rather than placing it in yard 8. See picture below, courtesy of STEP:

As you can see, this option L is the only feasible option for the residents of Brickbottom.

You may wonder what does this has to do with Somerville auto repair? Well, we don't just provide auto service in Somerville - we are a member of the community. We have called this city home for over 20 years and we love it!

The residents of Brickbottom, from the new immigrants to the creative class which boasts its magnificent artwork, are a vital part of our community. It is diverse neighborhoods like Brickbottom that make Somerville the all-American city that it is.      

Our friends in this neighborhood deserve a high quality of life, and this decision will help make that a reality.

This will also serve as a boon to the whole city, as the once-industrial area of Brickbottom will be able to be redeveloped. More revenues for the city and a cleaner, healthier neighborhood - we all win!

The Green Line expansion is going to make our great city even greater - and Brickbottom is going to be an integral spoke in the hub we call Somerville.

Cheers, Brickbottom! You are well on your way! We promise to go along for the ride!