April/May 2025
Photography // Courtesy of Artomobilia
Rev your engines and mark your calendars for GarageLife!, a celebration of the automotive lifestyle that transcends traditional car shows. Hosted at Motor District in Westfield on Saturday, June 21, and Sunday, June 22, at 3 p.m., this public, RSVP-only event invites attendees to experience how garages have evolved into stylish, functional and inspiring spaces.
The brainchild of John Leonard, executive director and founder of Artomobilia, GarageLife! is the automotive equivalent of Home-A-Rama — designed not just to showcase remarkable cars, but the creative and aspirational environments that house them.
Exploring Garage Culture
“The idea of GarageLife! is basically Home-A-Rama for garages,” Leonard explained. “We want to showcase garages that are super cool, put some interesting cars in them, let the attendees walk through them and check out interesting garage-related products.”
This curated event merges vehicle showcases, hands-on demos and vendor booths with food trucks, live music and adult libations. But more than that, it’s an immersive experience aimed at inspiring guests to purchase their own unique space at Motor District or reimagine their current garage spaces.
Explore the Six Faces of Garage Living
According to Leonard, the event highlights six emerging use cases for garages within Motor District and beyond:
- Urban Retreat
Think of it as an “urban cabin” — a fully outfitted space with a kitchenette, a full bath and room for smaller RVs. “Instead of having your birthday party for your grandkids at your house, where you don’t necessarily want 20 six-year-olds running around… [have] it at [your] garage,” Leonard shared. “If someone drops a drink… you can hose your garage out and keep going.” - Project Studio
This use case is all about function. “Where you want to actually wrench on your car, build out something, do woodworking,” Leonard said. “We’ve got one guy who’s building out an art studio. He’s an artist. The project studio is more bare-bones and purpose-built.” - Post-Career Headquarters
For the recently retired or semi-retired, this setup becomes a personal sanctuary. “You’re 62 or 58… and you just sold your company. What are you going to do when you don’t have an office to go to?” Leonard posed. “[This is] where [you’re] going to go when [you] stop going into [the] office.” - Remote Workspace
An alternative to the home office, this personalized space is built for productivity. Leonard noted, “If you wanted a team meeting or to meet with some clients, you can’t bring them to your house… so the remote workspace is really a personalized professional office.” - Entertainment Complex
“You want a golf simulator. You want a driving simulator. You want a pickleball court,” Leonard listed. “These are lifestyle spaces for homeowners whose HOAs might restrict expansions or recreational additions to their residences.” - Business Hub
Out front at Motor District is a strip of commercial buildings serving as a collective business hub. “It’s a great platform for guys with a business but also an automotive interest,” Leonard said. “Everybody at Motor District is a potential client.”
Inspiration for Every Gearhead
For some attendees, the event may ignite ideas for transforming their own home garages. For others, it might spark the desire to purchase a unit within the Motor District. “[GarageLife!] is really intended to expose the possibility of garages to the general public,” Leonard emphasized. “They can use that insight to inform decisions on their own garage… or a garage they want to build at Motor District or somewhere else.”
Whether you’re into polished concrete, industrial epoxy finishes or designer cabinetry, the event offers a look at a range of flooring, lighting and organizational features that combine form and function.
No Cost, Just Curiosity
“There’s no cost. The idea is to see if we can turn this into an annual event,” Leonard said. “The general public is welcome to come. The only thing we ask is they register for a ticket so we know when to expect them.”
Food, Fun and Fast Cars
GarageLife! isn’t just for car collectors. It’s a full-blown community festival with something for everyone. Attendees can enjoy tacos from area food trucks, craft beer from local vendors like Danny Boy Beer Works, live music and a family-friendly atmosphere.
“It’ll be a nice afternoon to just enjoy the weather, walk around, get a taco or whatever, drink a beer, look at some garages and get inspired about what the possibilities are with your own garage,” Leonard said.
Detail Fest at GarageLife!
As a special feature of the 2025 event, Detail Fest will debut as a dedicated space focused on car care innovation. Sponsored by Vision Investments, SONAX USA, and AUTOGEEK.com—all located in Westfield and owned by Tony George—Detail Fest offers live demonstrations from top local detailing shops and leading car care brands. Attendees can learn the latest techniques and interact with experts while browsing a stunning display of specialty and collector vehicles. Whether you’re deeply invested in detailing or just curious, Detail Fest provides valuable tips and inspiration in a vibrant automotive setting.
RSVP today at artomobilia.org and experience the new frontier of garage living at Motor District Westfield. Whether you’re a serious collector, weekend wrench-turner or simply garage-curious, GarageLife! 2025 promises a glimpse into a lifestyle where passion meets design.