H-D of Maryland pulling the plug

[mel]

I drove over to my local H-D of Maryland (Elkridge) and was quite disappointed to find Tina (the owner) is retiring. But instead of selling the business, they are liquidating stock and closing permanently 1 March.

H-D of MD had moved into a big new facility several years ago, and it's telling that they're pulling the plug instead of selling.

I'll miss them.   

[Kansas]

My guess is it would be really difficult to get a loan to buy a motorcycle dealership. Bankers are gun shy of making business loans with low interest on an enterprise that isn't making a lot of money, or perhaps not making any money at all.  The owner probably feels safer with a savings account of money from a liquidated asset than holding paper and praying that a new inexperienced owner is going to be able to make payments every month. I own a retail business in another field and the only reason my business stays open is because I really don't want to retire and sit on my butt at home and I'm too old to do anything else. It's kind of easier just to keep it going and consider myself quasi retired with an everyday activity - going to open up the shop.  Making money with a small retail business just isn't happening in this economic environment and the government setting up obstacle after obstacle.  We have a 9% sales tax, try selling a widget that is 9% higher than the on line seller.

[ndmp40]

Harley is forcing some dealerships to close.  This is likely one of them.  You dont walk away from a dealership.

[Twolane]

H-D closed 36 stores in 2010.

http://www.dealernews.com/dealernews/LATEST+NEWS/Harley-Davidson-closed-36-US-stores-in-2010/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/706264?contextCategoryId=48447

[Princess Butt]

I was there on Saturday. My guess is they looked at the end of year financials, and the market not turning around, and figured this was the perfect time to get out and close shop.

They had a lot of stuff, but nothing that interested me or the Mrs. I had never been there before; she had been there years ago with husband No. 2, when they were at their old building.

They may be the smartest ones out there. If you get to a certain point and you see the writing on the wall, and it's not turning around, it's time to close shop. This applies to any business. I've seen people hold on by their fingernails for years, mortgaging everything they own, and it doesn't come back.

I wish them the best of luck in retirement. I'll get there someday, may be 20 years, but I'll get there someday.