By Richard Kaufman
For Dominic Franchella, President of Stamford Ford Lincoln, the concept of family is very important, and it has helped his business reach an important milestone.
On Friday, the dealership, which is located at 212 Magee St., in Stamford, celebrated its 10th anniversary. The all-day celebration featured live music, prizes for customers, food and a cake cutting.
“On Thursday, we put a slideshow together of pictures from over the years. I sat here and watched it, and tears rolled down my face. I really can’t believe it’s been 10 years. It feels like yesterday. It’s been unbelievable,” Franchella said.
Franchella opened up the dealership around the time of the Great Recession, and faced many hurdles as he began the new venture. Jim Shrive, Franchella’s father’s best friend, lent a helping hand.
“Back then, the financial markets crashed. No banks really wanted to give you loans. Jim said, ‘Dominic, how much do you need? I’m there for you.’ He just took a big leap of faith that no one would have taken,” Franchella said.
Stamord Mayor, David Martin, who was in attendance for the celebration on Friday, said he admired what Franchella and his team have done.
“I get to go out and cut a lot of ribbons, and often times it’s new small businesses. Sometimes it’s just a few people in a family, and what I say to them every time is, ‘I admire your courage.’ It’s a high risk thing to start a small business,” Martin said. “To see here, somebody who has actually succeeded taking this business and turning it into something successful that’s growing and expanding, and employing these people and providing a service to the people of Stamford… More power to him and his team who have all worked together to make this a success. His success is our community’s success.”
When the dealership opened, Franchella had just 32 employees working for him. Ten years later, there are now 75 employees, 10 of which have been there since the beginning.
That number will grow to over 80, when Lincoln of Greenwich opens up at 366 West Putnam Ave., at the end of 2019. The dealership will be an “automotive boutique,” and the first of its kind for Lincoln Motor Company in the United States.
“We come pick up your vehicle, we bring you a loaner. The vehicle comes [to Stamford] for service, and we’ll bring it back,” said Franchella, who noted that he’s excited to join the Greenwich community. “When you walk in [at the Greenwich location], it’s not going to be about a car dealership. We’re not just opening up a car dealership, we’re opening up a boutique where every experience is molded and tailored to you as a guest, and it’s all about you and what you want.”
Greenwich First Selectman, Peter Tesei, who is a customer of Stamford Ford Lincoln, was at the 10th anniversary celebration and said he’s excited to see Franchella expand.
“We are excited to welcome the Lincoln franchise to Greenwich; it’s a quality brand. Stamford Ford Lincoln has really been exemplary as a automobile dealership. Speaking as a customer, they’re highly responsive, very friendly, courteous and they’re timely with their service. I really think today is a day to celebrate their success and the manner in which Dominic Franchella has gown this business here in the city of Stamford. It’s really a day to celebrate him and the people he employs,” Tesei said.
Franchella said the day would not have been possible without the support and love from his wife, Michele, two daughters, Nicole and Alex, and the family dog, Fenway, who is the “Chief Excitement Officer” at the dealership.
But beyond his immediate family, Franchella was quick to credit his friends, employees and customers for the past 10 years.
“Family is a word that people use for just blood. Family for me is not only your wife, your daughters, your relatives. It’s about your friends and the people you forge relationships with,” Franchella said. “Family is my friends, my team members, and our customers. This day is not about me, this day is about them.”
