A monolithic brick building stands prominently in the center of a quiet, residential neighborhood in downtown Rochester, a stark contrast to the modest, two-story homes to its left and right. A large outdoor patio and two well-manicured gardens form the front edge of a wide, freshly-paved parking lot. Unlike the abutting properties, Central Park Garage cuts an imposing presence with its flat roof and sharp, angular walls that run perpendicular to the street.
Central Park Garage—which is currently undergoing widespread renovations— represents the outgrowth of more than seventy years of local history. Built in 1940, the industrial lot offers more than 8,820 square feet of interior space. While the North Marketview Heights property was originally designed to be an auto repair shop, it was later purchased by Action for a Better Community (ABC), who maintained the land until 2023, when it was sold to Rochester residents Bob Breissinger and Brian Coutu.
Business partners Breissinger, an interior designer, and Coutu, a sales rep in the home furnishings industry, first noticed the “for sale” sign on the sprawling lot in 2023. Breissinger and Coutu—both automobile aficionados— were drawn to the site immediately, hoping to construct a showcase for their shared passion: drivable classic cars.
Right away, Breissinger and Coutu submitted a purchase order. The next day, their offer was accepted.
“It was bigger than what we thought we wanted,” says Breissinger, “but our collection has grown now that we have the space.” He notes that before purchasing Central Park Garage, he worked on cars exclusively in his driveway.
As soon as the property was in their names, Breissinger and Coutu began molding Central Park Garage into an automobile museum, entertainment venue, and event facility all in one. From the outset, the goal was to host frequent social gatherings, allowing car lovers to congregate for drinks and lively conversation in a comfortable, cozy environment.
In the 1940s and ’50s, the property— which was owned by Mike and Joe Equipment Company at the time—specialized in installing hydraulic systems for truck bodies. “That’s why we have hydraulic lines on the floor,” notes Breissinger, pointing out round metal cover plates in the concrete floor.
“Then, in the 1960s, you could go to a dealer and buy a dump truck,” says Breissinger. “So, there was a shift in focus. From what I understand, the shop started working on school buses after that.”
Now, more than fifty years later, Breissinger and Coutu are making remarkable inroads renovating and restoring the space. “The building was pretty rough when we bought it,” says Coutu. “We walked in here and the roof was leaking everywhere, so we had that fixed, and then we started painting. We painted the whole interior, including all of the beams. We power-washed the floors and then started working on the offices and such.”
Breissinger and Coutu are working on the exterior of the property as well. “When we got here, the yard was all overgrown with weeds and grape vines. The asphalt parking lot had fallen into disrepair,” says Breissinger. “We are going to put out tables and make this into a fire pit,” he adds, gesturing to the patio, which sports a delicate, spindly tree rising from a symmetrical blue stone patio. Behind the patio sits a tall fence, separating the land from the home behind it.
In addition to a classic car showcase, Central Park Garage houses a soon-to-be fully equipped kitchen, multiple administrative spaces, a restored service bay modeled after Packard (painted its signature shade of green), and a library specializing in magazines and books about drivable classic automobiles.
A key feature is the garage’s lounge area, complete with windows on both sides of the bar, allowing visitors to sit on stools and look out at the cars. “It’s a party place,” says Breissenger, chuckling. “We are going to have an event for the Western New York Packard Club. There are also a bunch of Studebaker owners [we want to host], and we’d like to have a party for the Landmark Society. We want to have one for our friends too,” says Breissenger.
Breissenger and Coutu are well-versed in community gatherings. In fact, it was through these connections that they began building their car collection. “As you come across different cars, you’re introduced to different people,” says Coutu. “As you go to more shows, the base of friends you have in the industry grows.”
And grow it has. Central Park Garage currently features seventeen classic cars, the majority of which can be driven. “We try to have every one of our cars running,” Coutu states. “With the exception of [two cars], all are in the process of having work done so they can be on the road.”
Central Park Garage is already establishing itself as an asset within the region, promoting philanthropy along the way. “We go to a car hop every Friday night that benefits Shriners [Children’s Hospital], says Coutu. “In addition, the Landmark Society puts on a fundraiser called Cocktails and Carburetors. With this event, they invite private garages to be part of an expansive tour.” In 2023, when Central Park Garage was a participant, the organization raised more than $25,000. Over the years, Cocktails and Carburetors has raised more than $130,000 for the Landmark Society. “It’s nice to see so many people come out and be enthusiastic about the garage. In conjunction with the Landmark Society, we are doing a good deed by helping generate funds,” adds Coutu.
While neither Coutu nor Breissinger pursued careers in the automobile industry, both men were drawn to cars early on. “I had a ’66 Cadillac, then I bought a ’64 Cadillac and [my collection] just kind of grew. I was renting garages all over Rochester,” shares Breissinger. “There’s a ‘62 Cadillac Coupe DeVille out there [in the garage] that I’ve had since I was in my early twenties.”
Coutu nods, joining in. “My dad worked for Oldsmobile for most of my life,” he says. “So, two of the cars I collected are Oldsmobiles from 1950—a Club Sedan and a ‘65 Dynamic 88. So, I kind of bought those to remember him by. [At Central Park Garage], we have an eclectic blend of cars dating back to 1940.”
“If your oldest car is from 1940, how old is your newest?” I ask, curious.
“Well,” says Breissinger, “I would say the most recent vehicle is the 2006 Saturn Sky Roadster, which is considered a collectible, because the company is no longer making cars.”
“We mostly like cars from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s—drivable classics,” he adds. “If you go too far back, it’s harder to drive them as they’ll only go forty miles per hour. Some people collect brands like Packard or Lincoln or Mustang. In Rochester, Corvettes and muscle cars are very popular.”
He looks out across the wide expanse of the garage, inspecting the immaculate vehicle exteriors, all fully polished, buffed, and scrubbed. “Every city has its own car culture going on,” says Breissinger with a grin.
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2025 issue of (585).
Views: 67
