Dealership Great Ideas — June 4, 2014
Harley dealership in California sells
Performance Brokerage Services, a Harley-Davidson, powersports and new car dealership broker, announces the sale of Eagle’s Nest Harley-Davidson in Lathrop, California from the Davis family to the Westbrook family, a local Harley-Davidson of Sacramento dealer. This transaction was exclusively facilitated by Mr. George C. Chaconas of Performance Brokerage Services.
Now located at 13900 Harlan Road in Lathrop, California, the dealership was originally established as a small mom and pop operation in downtown Stockton. In 2006, Eagle’s Nest Harley-Davidson was rebuilt from the ground up featuring a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility located just off US Interstate 5.
Terry Davis, along with his two sisters, purchased Eagle’s Nest Harley-Davidson in 2003 and has owned and operated it since. Through the economic downturn, the Davis family took Eagle’s Nest Harley-Davidson to rank in the top 30 percent of Harley-Davidson dealerships nationwide.
The buyer, the Westbrook family, owns and operates Harley-Davidson of Sacramento, California, just 62 miles from their newly acquired dealership. Harley-Davidson of Sacramento was opened in 1919 and is one of the oldest continuously operated dealerships in the world. After several ownership changes over the years, Jay Westbrook entered into an agreement to purchase Harley-Davidson of Sacramento in 1992. Ten years later in October 2002, the Westbrook family became the sole owners. Jay Westbrook was a former District Manager for Harley-Davidson Motor Company and was able to bring his many years of expertise into the retail side of the Harley-Davidson business.
The Westbrook family formed a partnership with their General Manager of the Sacramento dealership, Mr. John Lund, on the purchase of Eagle’s Nest Harley-Davidson.
Owners honored as ‘Leaders Among Us’
Rodney Cabaness and Shad Zimbro, owners of Black Diamond Harley-Davidson in Marion, Ill., were given the designation of “Leaders Among Us” by The Southern Illinoisan and the Southern Business Journal.The two stand out as being two of the few business owners who have been recognized on the list, which normally honors individuals or married couples. All honorees are called out for their efforts to make Southern Illinois a better place to live. The dealership is known for is high-quality customer service, along with its community service, hosting fundraisers among its events. The dealership recently wrapped up a “Pay It Forward” program, where the owners randomly bought gas or pizza for locals. Last year they gave away one bike per month, and this year they plan to give away a complete home.
Pair of dealerships celebrates 50 years
Harley-Davidson Sales of Columbus in Nebraska celebrated its 50th anniversary the weekend of May 23-25. The event started Friday with an open house from 9 a.m.-9 p.m., with a Kick Off Party starting at 5 p.m. with cake and ice cream. Saturday included a 9 a.m.-9 p.m. open house, a poker run and a party from 8 p.m. to midnight featuring hot treats, cold eats, tasty sweets, a beer garden and live entertainment by Frequency. A 9 a.m.-5 p.m. open house was scheduled for Sunday, with demo rides from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The dealership is also selling 50th anniversary Harley-Davidson of Columbus merchandise. To read more about the dealership and the Osantowski brothers who founded the store, click here for a story from The Columbus Telegram.
Al’s Cycle in Hamilton, Mont., is also celebrating its 50th anniversary. Al Englund founded the Suzuki and Yamaha dealership in 1964, according to the Ravalli Republic. His son Russ England and Russ’ wife Kim bought the dealership, now Yamaha-only, in 1976. Russ’ son Ryan also entered the business 11 years ago, driving three generations of Englunds into the dealership.
Law Enforcement Ride
House of Harley-Davidson (Milwaukee, Wis.), a 2013 Power 50 dealership, presented the Third Annual Law Enforcement Ride, benefitting Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), on Saturday, May 31. Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke was on site at 11:30 a.m. to address the riders before the noon departure. The Ride began at The House of Harley-Davidson. The first leg to Route 20 in Racine was escorted. Thereafter the ride was a find-your-own-way poker run, with last bikes back to House of Harley by 3 p.m. for the after party, which included food, beverages and raffles. Officers from across southeast Wisconsin led the ride, which was open to the public. Registration was available on site from 10-11:30 a.m. and was $20/bike or $30/bike + passenger, including the ride, food, beverage and post-ride party. All proceeds of the ride benefited Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), supporting the families of fallen officers. The national C.O.P.S. Kids Camp is held in East Troy, Wis.
Bike wash service added
Biker Bob’s Harley-Davidson Motown in Michigan is now offering bike wash services as part of its Express Lane Service Center. A basic wash is $10 and includes a hand wash, rinse and power dry. A Deluxe Wash is $23.95 and includes a hand wash, degrease wheels, clean whitewall tires, apply spray gloss detailer to high shine and give UV protection. The Full Detail starts at $129.95 and includes the Deluxe package plus buffing of painted surfaces and hand polishing of chrome-plated parts.
