John McCloskey took over Santilli’s Transmission & Auto Repair of Glenside in 2025.

The business had been owned by George Santilli for years, and his father before that. McCloskey came to know the family through his previous shop, Blatt Tire in Cedarbrook Plaza, and eventually the two sat down for a chat.

“George was nearing retirement and asked if I wanted to buy the business. The more we talked about it, the more it seemed like it was going to come to fruition,” he told Glenside Local. “It’s worked out very well for both of us. Most importantly, it’s kept the neighborhood’s loyal customer base intact. It was really important for him that we continue with his business as he did.”

George is still involved with his former clientele and works alongside McCloskey’s sons, Kyle and Justin, and his wife, Susan, each of whom help out with the day-to-day.

Among the family’s early endeavors has been a beautification of the property. The McCloskeys hired a landscaper to lay brand-new mulch and an assortment of plants. They had the exterior of the building repainted and gutted the office and the back of the shop “to make it nicer and more open”, McCloskey said.

“I worked 30 years as a tech and I always like a clean shop. It’s a big deal when you’re in this field. It’s a start fresh every morning and a different mindset,” he said.

Their next order of business was installing a handicap-accessible ramp for their customers.

“We have a number of handicapped customers and we were helping them up and down the steps. I decided to build a ramp so people can get up there with no problem. It’s worked really nice for them,” he said, noting that he’s hoping to install a railing sometime over the next six months to a year.

David-Michael Kenney, a member of the Downtown Glenside Foundation, took notice during a walkabout in early July.

“Another member and I were walking Easton Road and looking for ways to improve its appearance,” he said. “We walked past Santilli’s and were amazed by their gorgeous presentation. They told us that they wanted to make the place look really good. They’re doing all of it out of their own pocket.”

The shop at 242 S. Easton Road also features a holiday tree in the waiting room which is decorated year-round for every holiday.

“I’ve been in this area for 33 years. I spend more time in Wyncote than I do at home. Most of our staff and technicians have been with us forever,” McCloskey said. “We received two owners of Fred’s Foreign Car in Mount Airy, who then brought all their customers to Glenside. We’re all one big happy family now.”

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