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When I first moved to town, I wondered why the Mobil Station on Main Street is called “Theater.”
It’s because years ago, there was a movie theater next door. After the theater was demolished around the mid-1980s, the Tierno family kept the name.
Nick Tierno started to work at the station when he was a young boy and took ownership of the business in 1963. Nick was a true gentleman.
That was so obvious when he talked about his family, his pride in serving customers and, of course … cars. He had a particular fondness for the antique cars that he bought and sold. It was a sad time when Nick passed in 2015.
Nick’s sons, Mike and Gerry, have kept the service station business in the family. Mike started to work at the station when he was 15 years old on a part-time basis. In the early 1980s, he joined the business full time.
Mike inherited his father’s interest in buying and selling exotic cars such as Bentleys, Porches, an SNX Acura sports car, and even a Model T! Mike tells me repairing and restoring these classic old cars is quite a challenge when it comes to finding parts.
Learning about new automotive technologies is also necessary. My Toyota Prius is the first car he serviced after he was certified to work on hybrid cars 12 years ago. He still remembers that. I’m sure he remembers each and every vehicle.
Gerry was the owner of a body shop before he joined his brother Mike in 2010. In addition to repairs and servicing, his specialty is restoration and detailing. When his work has been completed, owners leave with their vehicle in pristine, like-new condition.
The third generation to join the team is Mike’s daughter, Lauren. She graduated in 2018 with a major in exercise science and a minor in business from UMass Boston.
Lauren learned everything she knows from her father and uncle, including automotive diagnostics, tire rotation and replacement, oil changes and lubrication, and business accounts. She is also the “meet and greet” station representative and listens to the stories visitors share when they drop by for a visit.
Theater employs five people, and most have worked at the station for years.
Jerry Sullivan, who fills my gas tank and brightens my day with a few words, is the one I know best.
I asked the brothers if any celebrities had their vehicles serviced at Theater.
• Cam Neely, Boston Bruins, ice hockey player
• Pedro Martinez, Boston Red Sox major league baseball pitcher
• Steve Kuberski, Boston Celtics basketball player
• Bob Kuberski, New England Patriots football player
• Mike Lynch, WCVB Channel 5 sports anchor
Mike says all customers are important.
The Tierno family celebrated Theater’s 60th anniversary in 2023.
