Readers React to Old Photo of Enfield Garage

ENFIELD, CT — Last week's Picture Enfield photo of Elm Garage proved to be a hit with readers, with more than 300 Facebook likes, many nice comments about the business and its owners, and an unexpected treat.

Barb Maynard emailed us the accompanying photo with this note:

Dear Mr. Jensen:

I just want to thank you for sharing yesterday's photo of the former Elm Garage. My name is Barb Maynard and my dad was Joe, one of the Polek brothers. I have attached a photo of the three Polek brothers who worked at the garage. On the left was Adam, center is Joe and far right is Ed. Not only did customers come in to get their car repairs there, but would also just stop by to catch up on the latest local news, just like your local coffee shop. Also, behind the garage and located in the same building was the Elm Auto Body Shop, which was owned by Al Polek (Joe's son) and Richard Polek (Adam's son).

Facebook comments from Patch readers included:

• "They used to sponsor my dad's race car." - Terri Ruggiero Tripp
• "Great memory, we used to walk there to fill up our gas cans for our lawnmower and put air in our bike tires. They also sponsored my Little League team." - Rich Suleski
• "Always took my cars there for service. Good work, reasonable. Also, I worked with one of the sisters at a handicapped van shop. Her name slips me." - Stephen J. Stomper
• "Behind the garage use to be Tville bowling." - Cindy Cross Bostick

Speaking of T'ville Bowl, click here to read a Throwback Thursday feature we did about it in 2017.

Photo credits: Elm Garage courtesy of Barb Maynard; T'ville Bowl courtesy of Enfield Press

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