A LUXURY car maker is set to convert a once-beloved sports bar that’s been abandoned for years into a plush new dealership.
A long-vacant restaurant located in Livonia, Michigan, known as Doc’s Sports Retreat, was once a hub for sports fans – but it’s remained vacant since 2018 after closing down.
BMW are set to transform an abandoned sports car into the largest exclusive BMW motorcycle dealership in the entire US[/caption]
The site, set to open in 2026, will include some 20,000 square feet of showroom and service space[/caption]
But now it’s set to be transformed into what’s being described as the largest exclusive BMW motorcycle dealership in the entire US – as part of a $6 million investment by BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan.
Speaking to Hometown Life, owner Charlie Knoll said: “This property has been an eyesore for years, but it’s got so much potential.
“We’re going to turn it into a high-end dealership that embraces both the BMW brand and the natural setting of the site.”
According to the report, Knoll bought the four-acre parcel – located at the often-busy Victor Parkway, near Seven Mile Road and Interstate 275 – in March 2023.
The new site will boast nearly 20,000 square feet of showroom and service space, and will also serve as a flagship location for BMW Motorrad – the German brand’s motorcycle division.
Before this, the site has been home to several restaurants since the early 1990s – including sites like Cantina del Rio and Rio Bravo.
Doc’s Sports Retreat, which opened in 2005, was much loved by locals who came to watch sports on the site’s 70-odd TVs, as well as enjoy its poker room and live music.
Despite that, it eventually closed in September 2018 after business declined.
The building has been vacant since, following a failed hotel proposal, while Knoll said initial plans called for new construction on the parking lot near the I-275 on-ramp.
However, rising costs prompted a shift in approach and led to plans to retrofit the existing structure instead.
This, in turn, preserves the site’s pond views and distinct glass atrium, and also adds some 4,000 square feet of new construction.
Knoll added: “It’s not your typical dealership.
“You’ll see ducks, swans, and deer out the window. It feels more like a nature preserve than a motorcycle showroom.”
The transformation received unanimous approval from both the Livonia Planning Commission and City Council.
Mark Taormina, Livonia’s Planning and Economic Development Director, added that the city sees the dealership as a strong fit for the site after it languished for years.
He said: “We’ve been working with BMW of South East Michigan for several years, and this is a great project for that location.
“It’s a great site, great location right on the pond, and a great brand name.”
Construction is already underway, with demolition, utility restoration and site preparation in progress, with the new dealership expected to open in spring 2026.
Knoll, who also owns another dealership that he purchased in 2021, currently operates out of a leased facility located at 14855 N. Sheldon Road in Plymouth Township.
He now plans to market approximately two acres of the BMW property for future commercial development – with hopes that another high-quality business will join the development.
He added: “The zoning is flexible, and it’s a prime piece of land.
“Whether it’s a corporate user or something else, we’re optimistic it will be a good fit next to BMW and help strengthen that corner of the city.”
What to do if a dealership closes
If you recently bought a car or motorcycle from a dealership that suddently closed, you may feel anxious about how that affects you.
When you finance a new car or motorcycle or need warranty repairs done at an authorized dealership, a sudden closure can make some people think they’re out of options or worry their car will be repossessed.
If you’re in a situation that sounds like that, here are a few things you can do after receiving an official notice:
- Notify the bank hosting your loan of the closure to make them aware. If the financing is done through the dealership itself, it’s important to contact the dealership or your salesperson to ask how to keep up your payments. Many dealerships will send the lien (the title and registration that will only be released to the buyer after the debt is paid) to a financial institution to keep.
- If the dealership cannot be contacted through traditional means, most states allow drivers to apply for the title and registration through the DMV.
- If you leased a car from a dealership that went out of business, instructions should be sent as to which dealership to bring your vehicle to when the lease expires. If not, contact the dealership.
- A factory warranty through the manufacturer will be honored at any other authorized dealership. However, an extended warranty through the dealership may not be honored at other repair shops, so it’s important to seek that information from the dealership as soon as possible.
Source: Consumer Law Group
