About us - Woodies of Carmel

How did you get the name Woodies of Carmel?

Think ‘49 Ford.

A Woodie brings the surf/beach culture

in line with Automobilia

Woodies of Carmel is conveniently located in

The Crossroads Shopping Village at Highway One & Rio Road. Just minutes from Carmel, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel Valley, the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur Coast. There is handy parking on Crossroads Blvd, just steps to the many unique and interesting shops.

Chris & Becky DeSmet Sollecito

To find us using online maps and/or driving directions, search for Crossroads Shopping Village, 243 Crossroads Blvd,

Carmel, CA 93923 or use this convenient link.

MapquestÆ driving directions

Carmelo Christopher Sollecito is the name on my birth certificate. I go by Chris. My folks are Joe & Bettye Sollecito. And yes I’m related to ALL those other Sollecitos in Monterey. Our Corporation name is Papa Joe’s Enterprises in honor of my dad who passed away in 2006. He was a fisherman and mail carrier in Monterey, which is where I was born.

As for the Hawaiian shirts, I’ve been wearing them all my life. And I’ve been collecting auto memorabilia since I was 12. Now I have some 5,000 – 6,000 pieces and what’s cool about having Woodie’s is that it’s fulfilling my urge to shop. Sometimes someone will come in and want something really unusual. I’ll track it down and order two, one for them and one for myself.

Before opening Woodies, I worked for a software company and later for an auto dealership.

We’d been thinking of doing something like this for years. Becky was all for it from the beginning. She’d say it takes money to make money, but I still worried. Then two things happened. A dear lady died, Lucille Fisher, and left us a bequest. Second thing, I was watching Biker Build Off on the Discovery Channel and Indian Larry talked about doing what you love and the money will follow.

That did it! As for the name, we wanted something that said beach, surf, car and Woodie’s just seemed to encapsulate all that.

You should also know that I’m the main shopper for Woodie’s. I go to the market in New York or wherever. The Sema show in Las Vegas being the best. Becky says I can out shop any woman – for anything. I learned to shop from my mom and Lucille and I promise you, tell me what you want and I will try and find it!

Come by & let’s talk cars some time. I’ve owned a Datsun Show Truck, I used to cruise Asilomar in my 442 Oldsmobile, El Camino, Camaro, 2001 Volkswagen Jetta & I currently drive a custom Nissan Titan. Ask me what I like to own or drive before I leave this planet and my list would top 120.

Right now I’m thinking I’d like to get a 1965 Chevy Impala Station Wagon and turn it into a real Woodie. I just like the looks of those Impalas and I could probably do that for the store.

Hi, I’m Chris’ wife, Becky De Smet Sollecito. My folks are Hector & Betty De Smet, who are retired in Pollock Pines, California. My four sisters & I grew up working in the family bakeries.

I’m a native of Pacific Grove and am now realizing our dream of owning our own business. This is an experiment to find out if it’s true what they say, "Do what you love and the money will follow". We are having a blast filling this store with fun merchandise and meeting our customers needs. It’s great to be back in Carmel again. I managed my folks Carmel Bakery from 1978 until 1988.

The cars in my life: In high school I drove the family car, a 1961 Chrysler Imperial Convertible. It had a 383 c.i. engine, was Fire Engine Red with White interior. My friends & I waxed the paint off of that car. It was futuristic with those big fins, continental kit, push buttons for Reverse, Neutral, Drive, 1st & 2nd. No Parking gear, but it had a good emergency brake. I had fun driving it in Parades for The Feast of Lanterns. My dad & I used it when we dressed up as clowns for bakery promotions. Gosh I wish I still had that car.

In 1975 I bought a ‘72 Dodge Challenger with tires so big they rubbed when I turned a corner, air shocks in the back so the car looked bad! It wasn’t a badass Cuda but I thought I was so cool.

Then I bought a ‘67 Thunderbird with suicide doors, because my mom said she always wanted a T-Bird.

Then I bought a Ford customized Van, called it "Sugar Plum" and joined local van club, Road Gang Vans.

I had a 1982 Dodge Rampage for 18 years. Those were my good old days!

Currently I’m driving a 2001 Cadillac DeVille. Classic looks, comfort and power are still my preferences in a vehicle. And just to push my husbands buttons I’ll mention the Daewoo I bought by accident & the fact that I think some of the AMC cars were cool. Like the Pacer!

I’d like to rent a Mini Cooper Woodie one day, I’d love an old Buick Roadmaster Station Wagon. I’d love to own any of the muscle cars of my high school days in the 70's.

I love cars, trucks, motorcycles, roller coasters, trains and Crystal Cruise Lines. I don’t care to fly, but it sure does get you there quick!

Come visit us at Woodies of Carmel!

and tell us about your favorite car.

Our Spaniels are Greeters

Pepper is a black Cocker Spaniel with white socks. He was probably born in 2000. He’s a little lover and can’t hold his licker. He loves to "sit" & "shake" paws. And kiss people. If you’re visiting Carmel & left your pets at home, come get your dog fix here. All Pepper wants in life is for someone, anyone to pet him. His hobbies are car rides, running the fence line at home and barking at motorcycles or unfamiliar dogs walking by, car rides, looking out the car window, car rides and oh, did we mention car rides to THE BEACH. Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove is his favorite because the Surfers are nice to him and he can run forever. Pepper has the eyes of an old soul and will use his charming personality to beg for food with that look. He has the longest most gorgeous eye lashes and really knows how to work it with the ladies.

Peanut Butter Freckles is a Brittany Spaniel and was probably born in 2001. Peanut is the curious one. He will check out every single thing there is to check out on a walk. He loves to sniff. Especially if his people have been with other animals. Actually Peanut thinks he’s a cat. He just loves to curl up on the passengers lap and sleep during car rides. But when there’s a tennis ball to sniff out, he’s the typical ACTIVE Brittany Spaniel. In fact we have to put the ball away to get him to rest, drink some water and cool down. Peanut LOVES THE BEACH almost as much as he does Tennis Balls. But when he has the combination, Life just doesn’t get any better. Peanut loves to play fetch, go for walks & sleep. He loves to greet the customers at work. He’s very gentle and passive, but the truth of the matter is he’s in charge. Yes under that cute exterior he’s the Godfather and asks Pepper to do his dirty work.

We adopted both dogs in 2003 at the local Society for Prevention to Cruelty to Animals. They come to work with us almost every day. And they earn their keep. They are the official greeters. They dress up in their Hawaiian Shirts for Magazine and Newspaper Advertising. And for the Woodies of Carmel Comcast commercials they sit in a Pedal Car and look cute. They both know a few tricks. Sit, Shake, Down, Roll Over, Dance and stay are the favorites and we’re always working on something new. Dogs need to be employed or they get bored so we keep them busy learning new tricks, they get lots of play and rest time too!

Some of our Favorite Links:

www.nationalwoodieclub.com

www.roadsiderelics.com/

www.woodiesusa.com/

www.californiawoodies.com/

www.quicksilverfastphoto.com

www.vintageautoposters.com

www.woodncarr.net

Chech them out, when you have a chance!