Checking in with Steve Luzzi

DOWNEY — “As I remember, you have a faulty control unit,” Steve said. “Have a chair over there. It’s in the shade. The office is closed to the public now.”

That’s the kind of mind Steve Luzzi has, he remembers the details of your car even if the problem came up several years ago, without needing to refer to his computer even though it keeps records of all services provided.

I had come in to check a faulty air conditioning, and to get new windshield wipers. While we talked, Steve had an employee at work installing the wiper blades. A big problem and a small one. That’s everyday business for Steve Luzzi Automotive.

How has the COVID pandemic impacted his automotive business? 

“Business has been slow,” Steve said, “Even though as an essential business we have stayed open. But when they’re laid off from work, people don’t drive their cars.” 

Steve’s situation basically describes the devastation that’s happened to the Southern California lifestyle. 

“Business is coming back, though,” Steve said. “I have to decide if this is the new normal – I think maybe it is - and plan my staffing accordingly. If business is going to get back to where it was, then I’ll need to rehire, but if it’s not…”  Steve let the statement lie unfinished.

“I had three mechanics but this winter, before the epidemic started, I was down to two. I hadn’t replaced one person. So now I have two – that’s my son,” and Steve nodded toward a blue-jump-suited mechanic attending a car in one of the bays. Everyone including Steve was wearing a mask.

“Some days we’ve been finished at noon,” Steve said. “We’re not open on Saturdays anymore. But I haven’t had to lay off anyone.”

“You must be proud of that,” I said.  “We were never in danger,” Steve said.  “But some days we had no business at all.”

Is Steve a native Downey-ite?

“I was born in Downey,” Steve said. “But I’ve never lived here. I live in Huntington Beach. A 22-mile commute.” 

“You know the mileage,” I said.

“After almost thirty years,” said Steve, “it’s pretty familiar.

“I started working for my dad as a teenager,” Steve said, “in his full service station. In the summer I’d wait on cars on the pump islands and learn about repairs. And then in 1981, when I was only 21, I bought my own service station.”

“In 1991 I bought this station from Gene and Marie Pardella,” Steve said.  “So I’ve been on this corner for almost 30 years.”

The exact location is the southwest corner of Paramount Boulevard and Second Street, just a block south of the Rives Mansion.

“I remember when I first started coming to you,” I said. “This shop had a different name.” 

“I kept it Pardella’s Auto Center,” said Steve, “out of respect for Gene. But they started called me Steve Pardella, and that’s not me. I’m Steve Luzzi. So I changed the name.”

By now Steve’s efficient staff had determined that I needed oil too. Less than a quart, maybe, of 10-30 weight. But when it was time to leave, “I topped it up for free,” said Steve.