Oldest Harley-Davidson Dealership in US Closes Ohio Location

by Chief Editor

The oldest Harley-Davidson dealership in the United States, Farrow Harley-Davidson in Sunbury, Ohio, is closing its location as the new owners, the Schipper family, consolidate operations to their Columbus dealership, according to a Feb. 24 social media post.

Dealership Transition

The closure follows Ricart Automotive’s sale of its Farrow Harley-Davidson dealerships to the Schipper family, who currently own and operate six other motorcycle dealerships across the Midwest. The Farrow North dealership, located at 7754 State Route 37 in Sunbury, had served central Ohio for 20 years.

Did You Know? Farrow Harley-Davidson first opened in 1912, making it the oldest Harley-Davidson dealership in the U.S.

Customers who have ordered items or are storing motorcycles at the Sunbury location will be contacted by a dealership employee. Orders will be fulfilled at the Farrow East location, located at 5840 Scarborough Blvd. In Columbus.

Consolidation and Future Plans

The consolidation began over a year ago, prompted by a requirement from the Harley-Davidson Motor Co. That Farrow Harley-Davidson maintain a Columbus address. Ricart Automotive stated it is refocusing on automotive sales and service and exploring expansion opportunities in Central Ohio.

Expert Insight: Consolidation within the automotive industry, and particularly within dealership groups, is often driven by efficiency and market strategy. Centralizing operations can streamline logistics and potentially reduce overhead costs, though it may also impact local accessibility for customers.

The Schipper family also owns Bluegrass Harley-Davidson in Louisville, Kentucky; Evansville Harley-Davidson in Evansville, Indiana; Harley-Davidson of Fort Wayne, Indiana; St. Louis Harley-Davidson; Toledo Harley-Davidson; and Summit Moto in Fort Wayne. Dealership owner and operator Evan Schipper stated, “Since 1912, Farrow Harley-Davidson has been at the center of Harley-Davidson’s heritage. It is an honor to be trusted with that enduring legacy. We are excited to be growing our Harley-Davidson family and are eager to serve the riding community throughout Central Ohio.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is happening with Farrow Harley-Davidson?

Farrow Harley-Davidson is closing its Sunbury, Ohio, location and consolidating operations into its Columbus dealership.

Who is responsible for the closure?

The closure is a result of the new owners, the Schipper family, consolidating operations after purchasing the dealerships from Ricart Automotive.

What will happen to existing orders and stored motorcycles?

Customers with orders or stored motorcycles at the Sunbury location will be contacted, and orders will be fulfilled at the Columbus location.

How might this change affect Harley-Davidson riders in the Central Ohio region?

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