Union Square - Somerville Community Blog

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!

We started out on May 1, 1980, in a small 1-bay shop in Cambridge. Back then it was just Mike Sr. Mike set out with $2,500 and a dream to be his own boss and help other people. Cambridge auto repair was tough! But Mike held on, taking it day-by-day.

After many years we were able to get a bigger shop in Cambridge. The business grew in more ways than one - Mike Jr. joined. What a team!

It wasn't long until we needed to move again. This time, it was next door to Somerville - a city we've called home ever since! First it was behind the high school on Medford St., then to our current home in historic Union Square.

Once thing is certain: Somerville auto repair has changed forever!

Through the years we have provided the finest automotive service to our friends in the area. How? Mike made a pledge back in 1980 that he still stands by today - be honest, be fair, and arm our customers with knowledge.

It is because of this pledge that we have been so successful. It is why so many women in the area have chosen us to take care of their vehicles. It is why we are the only automotive shop in the State to be named a Super Service Award winner by Angie's List!

We've spent 30 years fighting the big pricey dealerships. We hear the horror stories from our new customers, many of whom always got gouged at the dealer. And who ultimately, end-up very happy with us. That makes us just as happy!

30 years of success! 30 years of making new friends and helping people! Sounds like a reason to celebrate - wouldn't you agree?

We've got some plans...stay tuned!