Salem County Harley Closing Oct. 15th. Owner is retiring...

http://www.salemharleydavidson.com/default.asp

 

That bums me out. I bought 2 bikes from there. As did my uncles in 67. This photo was taken there It's kinda like a small mom and pop operation......i will miss it

 

Sweet '63 on the close side, looks to be a '61 or '62 on the far side. Beautiful bikes.

 

good for them,

 

I was just in that area visiting friends. My buddy didn't think it was still there, so we went to Barb's instead. Bummer, I could have went. Good to see they're closing for a good reason, though.

 

Owner retiring. Means nothing you have to learn to read between the lines.

Business is no longer profitable. Owner old, decides to call it quits before I lose my life savings.

Harley cut my allotment of bikes because I will not build a megastore. Actually megastores should be called mausoleum's because building them have raised the cost of doing business for many of these dealers that they actually built their own grave.

Dealer profitable but Harley refuses to approve a new buyer because MOCO wants to cut back on the amount of dealers.

If this dealer is that profitable why was a child never groomed to take over?

If no kids why not groom a nephew?

 

I bet they were getting pressure to build a big box Harley store not to many non big box Harley dealers around anymore.

 

You must have written the book on "Why Small Harley Dealerships Are Being Force To Close For Dummies." Very well put. I purchase my first Harley over the summer from a small dealership that has since closed its doors due to corp. B.S. It makes me more angry day in and day out that Harley does **** like this...

 

I think this is closer to what really happened............



GUY LEAMING RACING IN 1969 AT THE ATCO DRAGWAY!!


In 1953, two brothers by the names of Hap and Chick Volkmar founded Volkmar Brothers. They sold Harley-Davidson® motorcycles for 16 years in the same building where Salem County Harley-Davidson stands today. In 1969, Hap and Chick sold their business to Guy and Lorraine Leaming, and Salem County Harley-Davidson Sales was established. Building upon the original framework, Guy knocked out walls and expanded the front of the building, which is now the main showroom. Other additions were added to the original building in 1977, 1978, and in 1998. In 1999, construction began on the service building behind the original building and was completed in 2003.
Guy and Lorraine established two insurance agencies, Guy D. Leaming Insurance Agency and L. Leaming Insurance Agency, in 1971.
Guy and Lorraine also established Leaming’s Buell in 2001.
Guy trained in auto mechanics and graduated from the Spring Garden Institute in Philadelphia, PA in 1962. After graduation, he worked in a machine shop and later, worked a couple of jobs in auto repairs. To make ends meet, he took on an apprenticeship as a truck mechanic and worked on trucks while serving in the Army. In 1966, Guy began working on motorcycles in Norristown while researching areas to open a motorcycle business. In 1969, opportunity rang, and Guy along with his wife, Lorraine, purchased the Volkmar Brothers.
Guy debuted as a professional drag racer in 1963. He continued to drag race until 1978 and from 1969-1970, he owned the quickest Harley-Davidson® bike in the United States. Guy built a custom-designed frame on a Harley-Davidson® base to capture the A/Fuel Motorcycle Drag Racing title.
Guy passed away on April 24, 2009 in his home with his family by his side. He was 64. For 4 1/2 years, Guy battled a very rare form of cancer. He was an active member of the Eastern Harley-Davidson Dealers Association, a member of the Steering Committee for MDA Ride for Life, and the sponsoring dealer for the South Jersey H.O.G. Chapter. Guy loved spending time watching motorcycle and car races, taking long rides on his Harley, and sharing time with his family. Guy Leaming is survived by his wife of 40 years, Lorraine Leaming (current dealer principal); four children - Joe, Kay, Ann, and Karen, his sister - Leslie, three nephews, and six grandchildren.
For 41 Harley-Davidson model years, Guy had been the owner of Salem County Harley-Davidson. He worked every day to ensure high customer satisfaction and to encourage exceptional work ethic. We will miss you Guy!
Lorraine Leaming, Ann Leaming, and Darlene Seibert are running the day to day operations here at Salem County Harley-Davidson Sales and Leaming's Buell. Licensed insurance agents are on-premise to sell and bind motorcycle insurance coverage for the states of NJ, DE, and PA.
We will be retiring on October 15th, 2010 after over 42 years of service! Thank you to all of our long-time and new customers for making our business a success!! Guy and Lorraine

 

R.i.p.