Panama City Beach H-D dealership breaks ground
Ground has been broken for the new Harley-Davidson of Panama City Beach site at 14700 Panama City Beach Parkway in Florida. The location is one of the few Harley-Davidson points that have been opened in the last two or three years, according to marketing director Meri Beth Dudich.
Multi-dealership owners Preston Farrior and Gary Bang chose the location because of Panama City Beach’s promise of population and economic growth as well as the growing tourist industry, Dudich said.
“This is a beautiful place to live, and there are a lot of people around the area that like to ride,” Bang said. “We believe the dealership will also help to attract riders from all over the world who want to come here to vacation.”
While the Harley-Davidson dealership will be new to the area, Farrior and Bang have a storied history in the industry.
“My family has been in the motorcycle business since 1911,” Bang said. “I grew up in the shop and racing bikes. It’s definitely in my blood.”
The dealership will be more than 38,000 square feet of retail and service space, along with six service bays.
The fishing village-themed building ties into the coastal community, and part of the five acres will be transformed into a stage and event facility, as the dealership aims to be a main event stop in future Thunder Beach Rallies.
Bang and Farrior also own Harley-Davidson dealerships in Tampa Bay, Brandon and New Port Richey, Fla. Construction should be completed in spring of 2013. Guests can watch progress of the construction via webcam at www.pcbharley.com.
