Anthony Augliera Moving & Trucking Company began in 1910 with it's only assets being a wagon, a horse named Fanny and a young immigrant from Messina, Sicily. Tony, known as "Little Tony", came to America in 1905 with his mother and younger brother to join older brother Joe who had been here for several years. Tony worked in a factory for a short time but did not enjoy working inside. He then began selling papers which ultimately led to work as a push-cart vendor selling, at various times, peanuts, milk, ice-cream, fruits, vegetables & coal.

In 1910, 19 year old Tony met Sylvester Poli, a very prominent businessman, who owned a string of Vaudeville & movie houses, Mr. Poli sold Tony a horse and wagon for $200.00, which was Tony's start in the trucking business, while Mr. Poli concentrated on building theaters. He became Tony's mentor teaching him good business practices and social graces. With Tony's strong desire to build a business, Tony's business became Theatrical Transfer, Moving & Storage Company for all of New Haven County, CT. For many years Tony held exclusive permits to haul theatrical baggage and scenery all the while continuing his regular residental and commercial moving. In time, Tony acquired his first parking lot in the city of New Haven, CT and over the years had owned and operated over seven parking lots at one time. It was in 1917 that Tony purchased his first truck .... a "Mack". His Moving & Theatrical business continued to grow in the years that followed.

In 1942, he purchased the "New Haven Baggage Transfer". He opened an office in the New Haven Railroad Terminal in order to accomadate all of his customers which included the Yale Community. At that time, travelers shipped their trunks and baggage by rail. The office in the Railroad Station became the hub for all his businesses; Household Moving, Baggage Transfer, Parking Lots, Storage, and Theatrical Transfer. During World War II good employees were hard to find, and Tony's only two sons were taken out of college to join the Army & Air Force.

On a personal note, Tony felt very strongly about this country and all it has to offer. Even though he spoke "broken" English, he took pride in speaking this country's language. He taught himself to read and went to night school. He worked hard for his family which consisted of his wife Katie, his sons Anthony & Salvatore, and his daughters Pauline and Lucille.

 
 

It was not unusual for Tony himself to bring in a Shubert show on Monday, work all week moving household goods, work Saturday night into Sunday taking a show out of the Shubert, and then on Sunday afternoon, bring the Ice Show to the New Haven Arena. During the 1940's most of the Broadway shows opened at the Shubert Theater in New Haven, CT before going to Boston and/or New York.

After the War, and between the years 1946 and 1947, both of Tony's sons decided not to return to college and began working in their father's business. It was in 1946 that the business was incorporated as Anthony Augliera Inc. His daughters Pauline and Lucille, on separate occasions, ran the office and handled the bookkeeping, while his sons handled the household moving, theatrical and trucking businesses. In the mid 1950's, Tony took semi-retirement by working only with the Parking Lot business.

 
After Tony's death in 1962, his sons took over the management of the business. They sold off all of the parking lots to the city of New Haven, CT for redevelopment. In 1970, after the death of their mother Katie, Anthony and Salvatore received full ownership of the company. The business continued to grow to include the hauling of shows & concerts at the Coliseum, symphonies at Woosley Hall and the local moving and trucking. The year 1980 brought the third generation to work in the family business: Anthony Sr's only son Anthony Jr. and Salvatore's youngest son Robert.

In 1989 Salvatore died at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer. Anthony Jr. had left the company while Anthony Sr. and Robert continued to work together up until November,1996. It was at that time that Robert purchased the business from his uncle. Anthony Sr, died in March, 2001 at the age of 79 after a battle with cancer.

 

The trucks bearing the name Anthony Augliera, Inc. are still on the road to date and highly recognized by many. With the assistance of his dedicated staff, Robert is very committed to uphold the family traditions. He is his grandfather in many ways, and holds the highest respect for him as a man of honor and integrity. For this reason, the company name and logo have been preserved to compliment the original his grandfather gave it many years ago. There have been some bumps in the road over the years, as with any business, but Robert, with the support of wife Paula and children Carolyn and Salvatore II, has managed to keep the company moving in a positive direction.

Theatrical Hauling is a large part of this business serving New York City and surrounding areas to this day. The Local & Long Distance Moving & Storage business continues to thrive because of the reliable, dedicated and honest reputation the company was built upon. Robert is honoring his grandfather, father and uncle every day the trucks leave the yard.........
   
History provided courtesy of Lucille Augliera - DiVerniero