Dealer grows Harley-Davidson store count to six with purchase
Editor’s note: Buyer Dale Rhoads now owns the maximum per the Motor Co. of six dealerships, after having previously owned four dealerships prior to the acquisition. He also owns two Alternate Retail Outlets. Story below has been updated. — Dave
Previously the owner of four Harley-Davidson dealerships, that number expanded to six with the acquisition of two additional dealerships.
George C. Chaconas of Performance Brokerage Services announced the successful facilitation of the sale of St. Paul Harley-Davidson and Wild Prairie Harley-Davidson in Minnesota from Tom and Melanie Giannetti to Dale Rhoads, dealer principal of four Harley-Davidson dealerships prior to the acquisition of the two dealerships.
St. Paul Harley-Davidson was established in 1945 by Howard Belmont, a local motorcycle enthusiast. With Belmont at the helm, the business was highly successful and well recognized within the community for nearly 40 years. Belmont sold the dealership in 1981 and passed away in 1989.
In 1999, Tom and Melanie Giannetti purchased the dealership and grew it significantly to become the highest volume dealer in the Twin Cities area. The largest fundraiser held by St. Paul Harley-Davidson is the Annual Lightning Run – Biker’s Against Diabetes, which helps to fund the Diabetes Institute for Immunology and Transplantation at the University of Minnesota. From 2000 to 2008, St. Paul Harley-Davidson and its Annual Lightning Run had raised over $1,500,000.
Wild Prairie Harley-Davidson was established in 2008 in Eden Prairie, boasting a 33,000-square-foot facility.
Following the sale, Giannetti shared, “It was a very difficult and emotional transaction. George Chaconas became my trusted advisor and at times my emotional support. I made the right decision to hire Performance Brokerage Services, as George and I became friends throughout the sale. I am very grateful that I can retire knowing George helped me and my family move forward to the next chapter of our lives. I would highly recommend George Chaconas when the time comes for you to retire!”
The buyer, Dale Rhoads, is a highly experienced Harley-Davidson dealer owning and operating numerous dealerships throughout Minnesota, Oklahoma and Kansas.
The dealerships will remain at their current locations at 2899 Hudson Road in Saint Paul and 12480 Plaza Drive in Eden Prairie.
“The Giannetti family worked hard to build one of the more reputable and respected Harley-Davidson dealerships I have ever had the privilege of engaging,” Chaconas said. “It brought me great pleasure to have been a part of their family’s history and to have assisted with Tom and Melanie’s retirement. I wish them an enjoyable retirement and thank them for the business.”
