Dealership Great Ideas — July 23, 2014
Rommel Harley-Davidson Group buys two more dealerships
Electric City Harley-Davidson and Noto’s Harley-Davidson Shop in Scranton and Plains Township, Pa., have been sold. Thomas and Robert Noto sold the pair of dealerships to Brad Hopkins and Dave Rommel of Rommel Harley-Davidson Group out of Annapolis, Md. The transaction was exclusively facilitated by George C. Chaconas of Performance Brokerage Services.
Dreaming of one day becoming a prominent Harley-Davidson dealer, Bob Noto founded the Noto family’s first Harley-Davidson dealership in 1989. On May 14, 2005 his dream became a reality when his sons, Robert and Thomas, opened Electric City Harley-Davidson. Featuring a newly built, state-of-the-art facility, 25,000-square-foot facility, the dealership has placed first in the district in vehicle sales ranking for the last five years. The dealership includes a 12,500-square-foot service facility with top-of-the-line service equipment and Harley-Davidson certified technicians. Electric City Harley-Davidson is located at 1534 Scranton Carbondale Highway in Scranton.
Noto’s Harley-Davidson Shop, sister store to Electric City Harley-Davidson, was opened in April 2002. Servicing the Wilkes-Barre region, Noto’s Harley-Davidson Shop is a smaller operation located at 1022 Highway Route 315 in Plains Township, Pa.
Harley dealership hosts 100th anniversary party
Roanoke Valley Harley-Davidson is hosting its 100 Year Celebration In the Valley Rally from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 26. The event will include brisket and BBQ at noon, one $50 gift card given away each hour, a 42-inch Vizio 1080p TV giveaway at 3 p.m. and Softail demos. Customers can also earn double points on Saturday. Milton Menefee opened Roanoke Valley Harley-Davidson in 1914. The dealership was then purchased by Ed and John Waley in 1922 and by John Butterfield in 1953. Lloyd and Kathy Shiffer then purchased Roanoke H-D in 1982, moving the dealership to its current location in 1995.
Dealership celebrates a decade in Portland area
Paradise Harley-Davidson in Tigard, Ore., southwest of Portland, celebrated its 10th anniversary Saturday, July 19. Starting at noon, Taco Pedaler, Home Plate Sliders and Touchdown’s BBQ had their food carts available for free lunch while supplies lasted. Customers were also treated to live music from noon to 3 p.m.
Harley dealer opens KTM store in storage building
When Dennis Schaeffer purchased the former Heritage Ford building in Orwigsburg, Pa., he originally intended to use it for storage for his 86 personal motorcycles. However, Schaeffer, owner of Schaeffer’s Harley-Davidson, also in Orwigsburg, has now turned that storage space into a KTM and pre-owned dealership, reported The Republican-Herald of Pottsville, Pa. The new Schaeffer’s Motorsports also features a museum in the back of the building where Schaeffer can show off his personal collection.
Grand Rapids Harley-Davidson welcomes new GM
Grand Rapids Harley-Davidson in Hudsonville, Mich., introduced Craig Archambault as the dealership’s new general manager in a recent e-newsletter. Archambault previously worked as a GM for Fox Motors.
Bob’s BMW employee honored for 25-year tenure
Designer and ecomm manager Lex O’brien was recently honored for his 25 years at Bob’s BMW in Jessup, Md. O’brien joined the dealership in 1989, when the dealership, formerly known as Bob’s Used Parts, was just 7 years old.
