Big Shakeup: Harley Davidson Dealership Closing This Week, 113 Laid Off Workers Affected
According to The Sun, A major Harley-Davidson dealership is set to close unexpectedly this week, with operations ceasing on November 2, 2024. This announcement comes just days after news broke about another nearby dealership planning to shut down in January 2025.
Details of the Closure
The Harley-Davidson dealership located in West Bend, Wisconsin, approximately 30 miles northwest of Milwaukee, will temporarily close its doors. This decision follows the recent announcement that Triton Trailers in nearby Hartford, Wisconsin, will close in January.
The closure of the West Bend dealership will result in 113 employees losing their jobs. Customers received an email regarding the upcoming closure, which stated:
“Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Windy City Motorcycle Company, operators of Harley-Davidson dealerships in the Milwaukee market, are announcing an upcoming seasonal change with the Harley-Davidson dealer network. West Bend Harley-Davidson will be seasonally closed for motorcycle, parts, and merchandise sales on November 2, 2024.”
Reopening Plans
The West Bend dealership is scheduled to reopen as a full-line dealership on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. During the winter months, customers will still have access to Windy City’s nearby Milwaukee Harley-Davidson dealership, located less than half an hour away at 11310 W. Silver Spring Road, Milwaukee, WI 53225, phone: (414) 461-4444.
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The email further reassured customers that the closure would not affect any motorcycles currently in for service at the West Bend location. All in-progress service work will be completed, and units will be returned to customers from the same store.
Impact of Recent Closures
This announcement follows the sale of another Harley-Davidson dealership in Illinois, where only merchandise was available on the final day, with all transactions expected to be cash-only. Reiman’s Harley-Davidson dealership, a family-run business for over 25 years, is being sold to Walter Brothers Harley-Davidson dealership in Peoria, Illinois. The owners announced their decision to sell earlier this summer.
Additionally, a Harley-Davidson dealership in Long Island City, New York, confirmed its closure last month, offering significant sales, including discounts of up to 75% off.
Industry Trends
Despite Harley-Davidson having over 1,400 independently owned dealerships worldwide, several closures have been reported in recent months. Miracle City Harley-Davidson in Titusville, Florida, shut its doors permanently on September 1, leaving only two dealerships to serve the 600,000 residents of Brevard County. Furthermore, San Francisco’s historic Harley-Davidson dealership closed after 110 years of operation, marking a significant shift in the brand’s retail landscape.