By Alberto Suris
After renting the premises located at 265 Lowell Street in Lawrence for the past 23 years, Fred Castillo, owner of Fred’s Auto Repair, purchased the property. To celebrate, Castillo had a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 10th, 2017.
Castillo bought the property from Roger Berube last January of this year and said he was very happy to have done so. The ribbon cut also coincided with the 23rd anniversary of the opening of Fred’s Auto Repair on July 1st. The property once hosted a Saab dealership.
Castillo said that for many years Berube did not want to sell because of its prime location within walking distance of Broadway. Castillo was the only tenant Berube ever had after closing the Saab agency, but when Berube was ready to sell earlier this year, the first person he thought of was Castillo.
Castillo began his mechanic career at the age of 12, starting from below, cleaning floors in garages in his native Dominican Republic. He continued with the profession when he moved to the United States for the first time in New York and later Lawrence.
“I want to congratulate my parents on this incredible milestone. They have accomplished a goal that was made when they first moved to Massachusetts over 20 years ago. I am extremely proud and blessed to be a part of such a journey,” said Nelson Castillo.
Fred has two mechanics who have been working for him for more than 15 years and two others who have been employed there for five years.
Fred’s Auto Repair is open six days a week. It is located at 265 Lowell Street in Lawrence and its telephone number is (978) 681-5153.
