Cars have changed a bit over the decades but Costa Auto Repair in Narberth has adapted to those changes since it opened in 1974.

Now the repair shop has closed its doors, writes Ben Silver for Main Line Today.

Over the years, longtime customers became friends and the repair shop at 845 Montgomery Avenue became a community staple.

For owner Dick Costa and his employees, the auto repair business was family.

Costa is retiring. A stream of customers, former customers and well-wishers stopped by in the last week to say goodbye, bringing gifts and home-baked goods for Costa. 

“A lady brought a bunch of cookies in, almost crying, ‘What am I going to do every time I have an emergency? You guys are always able to bail me out,’” Costa recalled. “She was broken-hearted.”

Back in 1973, Costa, 19, had just dropped out of West Chester University.  His hobby at the time was fixing and reselling Volkswagens, so he expanded on that.

He rented a small garage in Havertown, then opened another storefront in Narberth less than a year later.  He ended up with two successful auto shops.

Read more about Dick Costa and Costa Auto Repair’s 50 year history in Main Line Today.