There’s been a garage at 16 Wappanocca Avenue for as long as anyone can remember. In the 1920s, it served as Rye Ford’s prep shop. For decades it was an auto body shop. A flood put one of the previous owners out of business. But when Jim Amico, who has loved and worked on cars his whole life, decided to move his business – The Personal Touch of Rye – to that spot in August of last year, he had a bigger plan: to put all your auto needs under one roof.

 

By Robin Jovanovich

 

There’s been a garage at 16 Wappanocca Avenue for as long as anyone can remember. In the 1920s, it served as Rye Ford’s prep shop. For decades it was an auto body shop. A flood put one of the previous owners out of business. But when Jim Amico, who has loved and worked on cars his whole life, decided to move his business – The Personal Touch of Rye – to that spot in August of last year, he had a bigger plan: to put all your auto needs under one roof.

 

For the first year, Mr. Amico grew his business steadily, offering everything from detailing to collision repair. The plan was in full gear until Hurricane Irene hit this August.

 

“The flood forced us to close up shop for two weeks,” he said. “The office had to be gutted,” added his wife Maggie, who works as office manager. It took them, with a lot of family manpower, days and days to rip out and replace the ruined sheetrock, insulation, and wiring. They worked non-stop while County Health Department workers cleaned up the oil leaked by a tank during the storm next door at Highland Hall, their landlord.

 

Jim’s Victory motorcycle was beyond repair, as was a dump truck stored at the garage. Despite the fact that it has taken the Amicos three months to get things back in order, they are quick to point out that many residents and businesses suffered far worse.

 

“We had a warm place to go at night,” said Maggie, “and what happened to our business is repairable.” Jim added, “My heart goes out to all of our neighbors here whose homes were hard hit, especially those who haven’t been able to move back in yet.”

 

Personal Touch lives up to its name because Jim cares — about customers and cars. He offers topnotch auto service inside and out. And he picks up and delivers.

 

As for his auto side, Jim’s first ride was a Honda 554 motorcycle. His next was a Chevy Caprice. As a young man he built his own hot rods. He’s currently restoring a 1985 Pontiac Grand Prix he hoped to give his son Jarrid one day. While out riding his bike in April 2006 Jarrid, then 10, was struck by a car and died from his injuries.

“I can’t ever give this car up. It was for Jarrid.