Zam’s Service Station

A sweet and spare little gas and service station formerly on Eddy Street. Love the painted transom sign.

images of this Property

Photo by Gemma, 1985
Photo by Gemma, 1985
Photo by Gemma, 1985

3 images: Press to view larger or scroll sideways to see more. All photos by Gemma.

About this Property

History

Not much is known or has been found about this property. A city directory of industrial businesses listed Zam’s at the corner of Rhodes and Eddy Streets in South Providence. An obituary for Guido C. Zampini names him the owner of this station that was in operation for 40 years. He was 92 in 2007 when he died, which puts the station in operation under his ownership from about 1945 to 1985, when he was 70.

The Providence Historical Aerial Viewer doesn’t give us much information. Both aerials from 1985 and 1988 are too blurry to decipher. In 1997 the Dunkin’ Donuts storefront occupies this address and stayed there until about 2010. This location must be correct because in the background of the first photo can be seen the medical office building that still stands at 758 Eddy St.

5 Anecdotes from people like you

Zam was my father and Zam’s Service generated so many great memories! First, to get the record straight, Zam NEVER had dogs on site (they must have been there after Zam retired and had rented the place out and before Dunkin Donuts was built). Anyway, as teenagers, my brother and I helped Zam during the summer months — I handled the front providing full service to customers (gas, oil, air, water… Oh, those overheated radiators were tough), and my brother helped Zam with car repairs in the shop. The place was like a Barney Miller sitcom — we had many “old guy” visitors such as “Smitty” (Yankee fan), “Old Pop” (Red Sox fan), and of course, “The Chief”, a Narragansett Indian who also worked with Zam during the winter and would visit in the summer to teach us how we could survive in the woods with a nail and a piece of string! It was a neighborhood with many African Americans (we were Italian) at a time (late 60s and 70s) when there was a lot of tension between blacks and whites — but many of our customers were black and we all got along so well — it shaped the person I am today, and I am proud of that.

Bob Zampini June 29, 2010

I believe that Dunkin’ Donuts currently occupies the site on Eddy St (1 block north of Public Street) that was once occupied by Zam’s

Jim Kelly May 22, 2008

I don’t know how long ago you posted these, but as I write this I’ve just found that “Zam” himself died only a couple of months ago. “Guido C. Zampini October 18, 2007 6:00 AM. Guido was the owner and operator of the former Zam’s Service Station in Providence for over 40 years. He was an Army Veteran of World War II and was an avid Yankees fan and a handyman who loved to fix things. He also loved to garden.” RIP Zam.

Mike Blake

love the site. that photo of zam’s gives me chills. when I worked for providence dpw, I went there to pick up some tires that had been dumped there. we heard all this barking from the inside. There were several emanciate dogs, long neglected, living in filth and left for days, as far as i know. really sad.

scott patterson

Zams was located on the corner of Eddy st. and Eudora st. I think Astro plating bought and demolished it in the late 80s

Bob Renell

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About this Property

#History

History