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In today's culture, customer loyalty is as old school as a long attention span. But mechanics Bob Meyers and Jay Gazerro have remained a constant on the Post Road for the past 25 years, and customers keep coming back. "We're the good guys everyone trusts," said Fairfield resident Meyers, 53. He and longtime business partner Gazerro of Westport own Compo 66, a full-service automotive garage in Westport, but having a car fixed there feels less like being in a service station and more like spending an afternoon with the family.
"We're not exactly quiet, and we don't always get along," said Bob. "But we laugh a lot, too," he added.
Bob calls himself the "grunt man." Burly and charmingly self-deprecating, he fixes "just about everything from brakes to suspensions," he said. While Jay, Bob says with a hearty chortle, deals with "the easy stuff" -- such as electronics. Their reputation for integrity and automotive know-how has won them legions of loyal customers. "We've had people move to the other side of the state and they still bring us their cars for servicing," he said.
But many customers are as entertained by the pair as they are impressed with their automotive prowess. Longtime customer Peter Propp says of the two: "It's like having 'Click and Clack' fix your car. They're really smart, and very entertaining."
After a quarter of a century working together, the two lifelong mechanics don't always agree on everything. But they know how to get along. "There are days when we just stay away from each other. That way we're both happy," said Bob.
Their customers are happy with them as well. Owners of newer vehicles who have their cars serviced at dealerships usually return. "They get a new car and wander away for a while," he said, adding with a laugh, "They must miss us yelling at each other."
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