A HISTORIC Harley-Davidson dealership suddenly closed its doors in what the owner called a tough decision.
Blackbridge Harley-Davidson in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, announced last week that it will shut down for good on June 30 after more than 70 years in operation.
A historic Harley-Davidson dealership is closing its doors after 70 years in operation[/caption]
The Blackbridge Harley-Davidson dealership cited several reasons behind the closure, calling it ‘difficult’[/caption]
“This was a really difficult decision for our ownership group to make,” Erin Mitchell, owner and general manager of the dealership, told CTV News.
“There’s a myriad of reasons for that, you know, primarily economic conditions.”
The world-famous dealership was one of the last independent motorcycle dealerships; however, economic pressures caused it to shutter.
“At the end of the day, this is a luxury brand and times are hard,” said Mitchell.
“It’s really hard to make the investment at the same levels that we had in maybe coming out of Covid.”
Mitchell described the “brotherhood or sisterhood” associated with the motorcycle community, but customers say they fear they won’t be able to find that community again.
“I don’t really expect to fill that gap,” said Cam Crawford, a customer.
“I’ll fill it on the road with people I run into, but I don’t expect to fill it with a dealership.
“You don’t buy motorcycles when you go here, you become part of a family.”
“This wasn’t an easy decision—but it’s a deliberate one,” read the post.
The dealership also gave back to the local community through charity efforts such as Ride for Dad, an organization that funds research on prostate cancer and raises awareness on the disease across Canada.
Even actor Jason Momoa was a customer of the dealership when he borrowed a bike while filming a movie in Toronto.
Until June 30, operations will continue on an appointment-only basis, meaning regular customers are saying they’re goodbyes.
“I come in here once a week just to drop off eggs from my farm,” said Crawford.
Greg Eschweiler, another customer, said he always stops in if he’s nearby to stretch his legs and get a cup of coffee.
“No other place is like that to me,” he said.
In a social media post, the dealership cited several reasons for the closure, including economic pressures, a changing retail landscape, and the unknowns of the industry.
“This wasn’t an easy decision — but it’s a deliberate one,” read the post.
“We’re proud to have served as a multi-rooftop, independent dealer group that led with passion, not just product,” the post continued.
“And we’re especially proud of our crew, our customers and the riding culture we’ve helped nurture. We put it all on the line and we would do it again. This isn’t the end of the road — it’s just the end of our time riding this particular route.”
The company is closing its doors on June 30[/caption]
