Fix Auto St. Catharines, part of the D’Ambrosio Collision Group that also operates locations in Welland and Niagara‑on‑the‑Lake, celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sept. 12 with an event at the Merritt Street garage that brought together family, customers and city officials.
Half a century at the same Merritt Street shop
The celebration took place at the same address where the business traces its roots to 1976: 276 Merritt Street. Johnny and John D’Ambrosio, who now run D’Ambrosio Collision Group, welcomed guests and used the milestone to underscore the family business’s long presence in St. Catharines and the Niagara region.
The day included complimentary food — pizza, barbecue and ice cream were among the offerings — displays of classic and restored vehicles, and recognition from civic leaders. Mayor Mat Siscoe attended and presented the owners with an award acknowledging their service and commitment to the local community.
Johnny (left) and John D’Ambrosio present a cheque for $10,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities during their 50th anniversary celebration on September 12.
Charitable contribution and business recognition
As part of the festivities the D’Ambrosio family presented a $10,000 cheque to Ronald McDonald House Charities. The donation reflects a pattern of community engagement the business has maintained over decades.
The Fix Auto St. Catharines operation is part of the larger Fix Network and the D’Ambrosio Collision Group has been recognised within that network. The family business has twice received the Fix Network President’s Award, an honour noted for identifying collision centres that meet high standards of operational excellence.
Local roots and regional footprint
The business began when Lino D’Ambrosio established the original shop at the Merritt Street location in 1976. Since then, the enterprise has expanded substantially: the St. Catharines shop itself has been enlarged and the group now lists operations in neighbouring communities, including Welland and Niagara‑on‑the‑Lake.
At the anniversary event the shop displayed a number of vehicles that had been repaired or restored at the location, underscoring the technical work that underpins its reputation. Those restorations helped illustrate how the business evolved from a single local shop into a multi‑site operation serving drivers across the region.
- Date of celebration: Sept. 12
- Location: 276 Merritt Street, St. Catharines
- Donation: $10,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities
- Recognition: Special award presented by Mayor Mat Siscoe
- Network awards: Two‑time recipient of the Fix Network President’s Award
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1976 | Original shop opened by Lino D’Ambrosio at Merritt Street |
| 2024 | Featured in Autosphere cover story |
| 2026 | 50th anniversary celebration and $10,000 donation |
For residents, the milestone is a reminder of the continuity of locally owned businesses in the city’s changing economy. Collision repair shops play a practical role in day‑to‑day life — fixing vehicles and keeping people on the road — but long‑running family operations often carry additional weight as employers, charitable supporters and community landmarks.
That civic dimension was visible on the day: neighbours and business partners mingled with staff and the D’Ambrosio family, while classic cars that had been restored at the shop offered a tangible link between past and present operations. The mayor’s presence and the donation to a local charity highlighted how the company’s anniversary doubled as a community celebration.
As the D’Ambrosio Collision Group looks ahead, its presence in St. Catharines and neighbouring communities suggests the business will remain a local fixture. The anniversary event showcased both the commercial and social roles the operation has played across five decades in the Niagara region.
