"The Valenti
name has been associated with the automobile business for over 90
years."
The first Valenti automobile dealership was opened in the 1920's by Bob's
father, Ferdinand Valenti Sr., in Wallingford, CT. Today Valenti Auto Sales
continues on at that same location. In 1973, Mystic, CT became the second dealer
location when Bob opened Bob Valenti Chevrolet there. Ten years later in 1983 as
business flourished, Bob Valenti Chevrolet moved to its current location on
Jerry Browne Rd in Mystic. During that same year, Bob Valenti opened Village
Ford on Rte 1 in Stonington, CT. A year later, Village Ford relocated to its
current location next to Valenti Chevrolet and was later renamed Valenti Ford.
In 1989, Bob awarded a Chrysler Dodge Plymouth franchise for
dealerships' outstanding commitment to customer satisfaction. This new
franchise was located at Jerry Browne Rd next to Valenti Ford on the ever
expanding complex. Then, in 1993, the Jeep Eagle brands were added to the
Chrysler store creating an extremely unique of shopping destination where
customers could purchase vehicles from the "Big 3" all at one
location.
In 1986, carrying on the family tradition that his grandfather
began 65 years before, Rob Valenti, Bob's son, joined the business. In good
Valenti fashion, Rob helped to further grow the business when he and his cousins
purchased a Volkswagen dealership in Groton, CT. Then in 2002, the Volkswagen
franchise expanded to two locations- Old Saybrook on Middlesex Turnpike and
Mystic at the Bob Valenti Auto Mall. The Valenti Auto Mall now offered
customers and opportunity to shop Ford, Chevy, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and
Volkswagen all in one location.
Always looking for opportunities to
improve the service and selection offered it customers, Bob Valenti purchased
Valenti Toyota in 1998 and located the franchise at Dunn's Corners in Westerly,
RI. Now, the Valenti family could offer its exceptional service to both
Connecticut and Rhode Island residents. In 2008, Rob Valenti added Valenti
Subaru to the Valenti family of dealerships locating it next to Valenti Toyota
in Westerly, RI. This brought the total of Valenti family dealerships to 7 in
three locations.
Keeping the small town family feel to all of his
dealerships was easy for Bob as he kept his family involved in the business with
his son, Rob, and daughters, Cheryl, Beth, and Jean, all taking active rolls
throughout the dealerships. Now, the next generation is continuing the family
tradition with three of Ferdinand's great grandsons now serving as managers in
the Valenti group.
With all the years and all the growth, one thing has
remained a constant- the Valenti commitment to customer satisfaction.
After 86 years of providing customers with the Valenti value, honesty,
integrity, and enjoyable experience, the Valenti family is grateful for your
patronage and looks forward to working with you in the future.