2sb reader, Wezul, reports:
I just spoke with Sam [Tomaino]. Vespa Chicago has relocated to Roselle on Lake Street. Phone number is (630) 936-7980. Helpful? I hope so. Enjoy your ride!
Thanks, Wezul! Vespa Chicago‘s website has removed all references to West Suburban Auto Group, and lists only the Boutique address (557 W Diversey Pkwy.) so apparently, Tomaino has parted ways with WSAG but kept his Vespa dealership. Presumably, the boutique will stay open, with service and sales support from the Roselle location. We reported last month that Joliet-based MotoplexUSA and their Chicago location, Old Town Motocycle Shoppe, were to become Vespa dealers, but they have yet to return our emails to confirm or deny the rumor. It’s unclear whether that deal was Tomaino’s backup plan, or if Chicago may yet still have two Vespa franchises.
Rather scary start with a happy ending.
I took my 2000 ET4 out to the new Vespa Chicago service location on Lake Street in Roselle. Bare bones facility to say the least and left it there with my service list. Sam Tomaino actually drove me home to Glen Ellyn which I thought was pretty cool. Well, 15 days later I popped out just to see what was going on and the mechanic (Dan) who was working on the bike had found that my front pads were down to nothing. He said the bike could be ready to go that evening so I headed home and he called a couple hours later to confirm the bike was ready. After a very scary taxi ride back to Roselle, it was indeed ready and I am very satisfied with the service. (630) 295-8000 is the phone for the service shop, you will want to ask for Dan.