Rev-heads, adventure seekers and lovers of all things motorcycling have a new home hub - with Richardson's Harley Davidson recently expanding at their Prospect location to incorporate their new store, the House of Motorcycles.
A labour of love for the owners, the business expanded next door from its initial warehouse. Richardson's Harley Davidson remains, but the House of Motorcycles runs alongside as an addition as the company took on secondhand and other branded motorcycles since its beginning in 1975.
House of Motorcycles manager Lindelle Curran-Hrycyszyn said talks about the expansion began back in 2018.
"With trading in bikes that weren't Harleys, we really grew and started to expand and just got too big for the location we were in," she said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"So we looked at starting a superstore complex - and when we got into talks with Yamaha and they decided to have us as their dealer for Launceston we started building.
"Obviously, COVID hit and slowed everything down dramatically, but we pushed along as much as we could."
The build was completed towards the end of November, with fitouts and new stock being delivered before the formal opening on January 12.
Since then, Ms Curran-Hrycyszyn said business has been booming - although it had been hampered due to import restrictions.
"Currently, a lot of the units we have are coming from overseas, which has been difficult in the current business climate," she said.
"It's been hard, in a good way, to keep stock on shelves - we've got a lot on back order, and it's flying off the shelves with so much interest - the store is only going to get bigger from what it is now.
"It's been a challenge, obviously every industry has had those challenges - there's a shortage of shipping containers, ports are full but things are trickling through, and we've got more on the way."
A love of adventuring in the summertime one of the drivers for stock demand.
"Demand is definitely higher because people are more impulsive with purchases than they were a year ago, knowing that things go quickly," Ms Curran-Hrycyszyn said.
"Especially this time of year, you're seeing lots of people out on bikes in nice weather, we've had tourist groups coming by on their way to the Spirit after touring the state on their bikes.
"It's the freedom of being on two wheels, with the wind in your hair... summer is the perfect time to start."
The House of Motorcycles is co-located with Richardson's Harley Davidson and the Ironhorse Bar & Grill at 468 Westbury Road, Prospect.
Become a digital subscriber today. Online you can view today's paper and keep up-to-date with breaking news. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
Ebony Abblitt
Ebony Abblitt is a features writer at the Examiner in Launceston, with an interest in pets, politics and people. | ebony.abblitt@examiner.com.au
Ebony Abblitt is a features writer at the Examiner in Launceston, with an interest in pets, politics and people. | ebony.abblitt@examiner.com.au
