Southwood Auto Parts is a reflection of family tradition and a legacy of three generations. In January 1969, Philip Weaving opened the first Southwood Auto Parts location in Woodbury’s Middle Quarter Mall in the now defunct Harris Transdeucer building. Over the next fifteen years, he opened Southwood locations throughout western Connecticut in Southbury, Shelton and Sandy Hook. 

Phil’s sons, Jim and John, started working for Phil in their teenage years. In 1986, the legacy was passed to them when they purchased the business from their father with Jim acquiring the stores in Woodbury, Southbury and Sandy Hook and John acquiring Shelton. 

Nearly a decade later in 1994, Jim purchased the land at 828 Main Street South in Woodbury’s historic district, breaking ground in the spring of ‘95 and opening the location that is the current home of Southwood Auto in September 1995. It was shortly thereafter that Jim realized managing and maintaining the business in one location was far more cost and service efficient than three. 

Following in his father’s footsteps, Jim’s son Matthew also began working at Southwood in his teenage years, handling inventory, delivering parts and eventually managing the counter. For nine years, he balanced full-time work with part-time college, earning his business degree with honors at Western Connecticut State University. Throughout the years, Jim’s children, Christa, Courtney, and Patrick also dedicated some of their time to Southwood.

In 2010, Matthew transitioned to take over day-to-day operations of the business, “allowing” Jim to manage very important tasks like visiting the post office and the bank. Most importantly, this freed up Jim’s schedule so he could raise his youngest son, Patrick. 

Jim reflects, “My father, Matthew and I have one very important thing in common: customer service is paramount to everything else. Matthew has taken this to an exponential level, committing himself to Southwood day and night to ensure the satisfaction of our customers. In addition, both Phil and I were mechanical by nature, but Matthew is a mechanical expert.”

Whatever your parts problem or need, know that you have an expert waiting for you at Southwood Auto Parts.