Hundreds Bid Harley-Davidson Dealer Farewell

More than 400 people braved a cold drizzle on Saturday to bid Tina Ice, 66, farewell. She is retiring from , which she has owned and operated for 20 years.

What might have otherwise been a happy occasion was tarnished by the news that the dealership, located at 7010 Troy Hill Drive in Elkridge, will go out of business on Feb. 28.

“I’m okay. I feel good,” said Ice with a tinge of emotion in her voice. “I’ve seen people today that I haven’t seen in years. This is great.”

Dozens of shoppers were buying motorcycle clothing and accessories in a flurry of activity during the daylong event that appeared part flea market and part retirement party. Loyal customers stood by in small groups stoically taking in the scene.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do without this place. We used to come here just to hang out and [would] leave with somebody and go for a ride,” said Eddie Martinez, who has been a regular customer for seven years.

At one time, the dealership employed more than 50 people and was, by all accounts, very successful. But with the economy in the doldrums, many motorcycle dealers, including Ice, have fallen on hard times.

At the heart of the issue is a lack of consumer confidence. “I don’t think this has much to do with the dealership. I was going to buy a [$27,000] Ultra Classic, and I can still afford it, but it’s risky with my pay situation; I took a 20 percent pay cut in the past year,” said a customer who identified himself as “Grumpy” and an electrical engineer from Catonsville.

As if the economic recession alone is not enough of a threat, hundreds of Harley-Davidson dealers across the country are facing particularly challenging financial circumstances because they occupy large, expensive buildings. “Harley recommended that all dealers expand about 10 years ago,” said Jack Corbin, the Elkridge dealership’s general manager. “With larger buildings, dealers qualify for larger allocations and could sell more bikes, so the theory went.”

About seven years ago, Ice built the building that her dealership presently occupies. Before that, it was in a more modest and less expensive building located less than a mile to the north at 6339 Howard Lane. “Now I wish we hadn’t [moved],” said Corbin. “Not just because it [proved too expensive], but also because [the dealership] was a close-knit family before. Right now, I'm bitter and sad.”

Nationally, Harley-Davidson USA is consolidating to make remaining dealerships more profitable. Rumors have circulated that Ice was offered financial incentives to close, but she didn’t comment on whether she had received a buyout. With the Elkridge dealership closing, others in Essex, Annapolis, Frederick and especially Laurel stand to gain. “[Ice] had to give permission for [the] Old Glory [dealership] in Laurel to open,” said Corbin. "Now it’s been part of her undoing."

Over the next three weeks, all remaining inventory will be sold at discounted prices. The building, which sits on 4.25 acres and is zoned for retail, is on the market for $5.75 million, according to Ice.

“I’ve been here since day one, going back to the old place,” said Greg Streaker, a customer and personal friend of Ice who put an arm around her in a show of support. "It’s sad to see it shut down."

Ice plans to move to Wallace, NC, where she and her husband will build a new home.

“This was my home and my family," said Corbin. "It’s been a good run."