One rainy October afternoon in 1988, Joseph Mistretta, a resident of Whitestone for 35-years, called a cab for his ride to work. He waited for more than an hour before his cab arrived. Not an uncommon experience for some of us, but ironically, Mistretta worked at a cab company.
At that time, most private car services were located in Jackson Heights, Flushing, Corona, and Forest Hills. While waiting for his car to arrive, Mistretta thought about how Whitestone should have its own private car service.
So the next day, he called the phone company and asked for an easy number to remember for his new company. They gave him the number 718-746-2222. And that was the birth of Four Two’s Private Car Service.
Making his lifelong dream come true, Mistretta rented a small storefront on 150th Street, in Old Whitestone, and with two cabs and a staff of three, they began to service local residents in a more prompt and courteous fashion.
As the company grew in popularity Mistretta needed to find a bigger place. A small gas station in Whitestone would do the trick. So with a few more cars and another dispatcher Four Two’s began to become a household name in Whitestone.
By 1995 Four Two’s was flourishing and Mistretta was on the move again. Needing a bigger location, he moved to 150-18 12th Road in Whitestone. It was a big empty lot, but not for long. Mistretta built an office, work area for the employees, a full- service garage with three lifts and a body shop. His dream of servicing his community had become a reality.
In March of 2007, Mistretta decided to retire after working more than 40 years in the private car service industry. He had achieved his dream. Four Two’s had a fleet of 40 cars and more than 80 employees servicing the Whitestone community and all five boroughs of New York City, as well as corporate accounts. He handed over his family-run business to his daughters, Denise and Valerie. Continuing in their father’s footsteps, Denise and Valerie give back to the community that made them successful by supporting local businesses and making annual donations to the Whitestone Business Association, HANAC, and Family Focus Adoption Agency, just to name a few.
In these tough economic times Denise and Valerie have vowed to make their biggest contribution to their community by giving their customers dependable service, safe and courteous drivers, and most of all, the lowest prices in town.
“We want to thank our loyal customers for keeping us in business these past 20 years,” said the sisters.
Four Two’s Car Service is located at 150-18 12th Road in Whitestone. For a ride, call 718-746-2222. Reservations welcome!
