Heartbreaking Loss for Brooklyn Community

In a sad turn of events, the city towed a distinctive green memorial truck, known as the “mini monster,” which had been parked outside a Brooklyn auto shop for several years. This truck, decorated with flowers, became scrap metal after city workers removed it on the night of April 1, according to the owner’s widow.

This eye-catching truck was a staple in front of New Millennium Motors in Gowanus, owned by the late Andreas Stylianou. His family had taken care of it until its removal, noted Maria, now managing the shop. She expressed her feelings, saying, “It was a rare car. It wasn’t just a car left there. I don’t think it was right. For us, it just wasn’t a car on the road.”

The city defended its action, stating that the vehicle lacked a license plate and a vehicle identification number (VIN).

Maria shared that the truck had become a living tribute to her husband, who tragically died in 2019 after being struck by three vehicles outside his business. After she took over, the truck also represented the garage’s identity.

She often decorated the Monster Mini for various holidays—Christmas, Halloween, and spring—adding whimsical touches like a giant witch’s hat and flowers.

Maria reminisced about how local residents, from musicians to families, often posed with the truck. One family affectionately dubbed it the “pickle car” due to its vibrant green color. “The community really loved this car,” she remarked, noting that people frequently asked to take pictures with it, highlighting its significance beyond just being a vehicle.

Sam Cassidy, a nearby printing shop worker, shared his sadness over the truck’s removal, saying, “It’s such a great staple in the area, and it’s a shame to see it go. It’s even sadder because I know it was to honor one of the owners who passed away.” He believed there should have been more communication before such a decision was made.

This quirky truck was one of several projects undertaken by Andreas, who immigrated from Cyprus and opened his Brooklyn shop in the 1980s. Maria fondly remembered, “This was Santa’s workshop. He loved projects and was always doing something…that’s how he made a lot of friends among his customers.”

She even had personal interactions with Mayor Bill de Blasio during her husband’s wake. Yet, she pointed out a mistake on a road sign honoring her husband that misspelled his name, a correction that still hasn’t been made.

The truck had been in progress at the time of Andreas’s passing and had remained parked outside since at least 2019. Maria lamented its removal, especially after relocating another vehicle to accommodate road repairs this winter.

Health officials stated the truck shouldn’t have been parked as it violated city regulations. A spokesperson emphasized, “Without the plate or VIN, there was no way for the city to contact the owner.”

Vehicles left abandoned have been a persistent issue in Brooklyn, with over 8,500 complaints received this year alone, leading to the removal of 265 cars.

Despite the city’s actions, Maria felt her memorial was more than just a car, asserting they should have issued a warning before the truck was scrapped.

Describing her frustration, she shared how she struggled to get through to the health department that morning and later found out the truck had been “removed and recycled” through social media.

“Someone made it and put it together,” she sighed, expressing a desire to restore the truck. But when asked if she would seek a replacement, she shook her head, saying emotionally, “It was his car. That won’t happen. [same] meaning.”