Kansas Harley-Davidson store ends operations after 77 years in business
Steve Towers, CEO of a network of Harley-Davidson dealerships across the Midwest and Southeast U.S., has permanently closed Historic Harley-Davidson in Topeka, Kansas, according to reports by local NBC News affiliate KSNT.
Towers purchased Historic Harley-Davidson in February 2025 from former owner Mike Patterson. The dealership was established in 1949 by Patterson’s grandfather, and was family-owned and operated by four generations of the Patterson family.
KSNT reports that Towers announced in a press release that the dealership officially shut down operations on Oct. 28. The decision was based on the dealership’s performance, current market conditions and long-term business outlook, which includes a larger strategic initiative to build up his business’s long-term position. That business — Steve Towers Enterprise LLC — now consists of six Harley-Davidson dealerships, and a collection of Big O Tire stores.
“Closing a dealership is never a decision we take lightly. However, as an organization, we must continually evaluate our operations and make strategic decisions that position our company for long-term success. The closure of Historic Harley-Davidson is a deliberate business decision that allows us to better allocate our resources, strengthen our existing operations, and focus on markets where we see the greatest potential for growth.” — Steve Towers, CEO, Historic Harley-Davidson
Back in February 2025, when Towers first purchased the dealership, his plans were to move Historic Harley-Davidson to a different location within 12 months after the transaction, however that move never materialized.
Also in his statement, Towers gave appreciation to the dealership employees for the effort and dedication, saying “their contributions have not gone unnoticed.”
Historic Harley-Davidson is just the latest in a string of recent Harley dealerships to go under. But despite the uptick in closures, Towers says Historic H-D shutting its doors doesn’t reflect the financial stability of his other stores in his network, which includes locations in Iowa, Nebraska, Kentucky, Louisiana, and North Carolina.
