Tony Macri still finds passion in custom work after 50 years

By: Andrew Ardizzi

Toronto, Ontario — March 10, 2014 — After dedicating his life to ensuring his customers were treated fairly and honestly, TM Custom Auto owner Anthony “Tony” Macri is celebrating 50 years as a car customizer.

“When I started in the trade I was a very young guy, 17 or 18 years old,” says Macri. “There wasn’t too much in the way of work, but a friend of mine that I used to bowl with asked me if I wanted to learn the trade. That’s what I did, and I took it up.”

Despite a tough first few years, Macri rebounded once he moved his shop location to Bathurst Street and Dupont Avenue in Toronto, where he spent 10 years before moving to Weston Road and Lawrence Avenue West, a location he ran his business from for 42 years. Always on the move, Macri has since moved his business once more to 4271 Steeles Ave. W, and he’s happy with how the business is doing at TM Custom Auto’s new home.

“It’s doing pretty well, I think it’ll be a good spot,” he says. “We have loyal customers that have been dealing with us for years and so far so good.” 

Macri says he has been passionate about cars for as long as he can remember, but that it was always the interior details of cars that interested him. Working on them all his life, Macri feels it’s been a joy to have had the opportunity to turn his life’s passion into a successful family business. Over his career he has helped his customers restore and customize their beloved cars, with a specialty in trims, sun roofs, moon roofs, heated seats and leather.

Yet, after all these years the sum of his success is only partially mechanical; the heart of his highs springs from his desire to always treat his customers with absolute honesty, to serve in their best interests and putting forth nothing except good old fashioned work ethic.

“It’s always important, work ethics and honesty,” he says.

With 50 years behind him, Macri could easily retire yet he’s chosen to keep working in the business he loves.

“It’s something to do. I could have retired long ago but I didn’t,” he says. “I wanted a place to go where I could pass my time, and I do it now because I enjoy it.”

His love for cars and the people who entrust their prized vehicles to him has carried him throughout his career, and this makes him content with the simple yet most important aspects of his work.

“It’s about meeting new people, that’s part of the satisfaction,” Macri says. “I like what I’m doing. Every day is different; different days, different colours, different people. Every day is like a new day for me.”