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fosters article
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
Harley-Davidson eyes land on Route 11 in Rochester
By ADAM D. KRAUSS
Democrat Staff Writer
akrauss@fosters.com
ROCHESTER — The company with the local motto "Live Free and Ride" could be rumbling on Route 11 by the 2006 holiday season.
Seacoast Harley-Davidson may finalize the purchase of three Crane Drive lots totaling 12.4 acres as early as today, said the company's broker, Bill Cormier of Hourihane & Cormier Associates. New Hampshire Real Estate Management and Brokerage, Inc. is representing the seller, Stratham Industrial Properties, Inc.
The three lots total $1,371,200, according to city assessment records. The lots are the last on the drive to either be developed or slated for a project. Granite Ford currently operates across the street and it sits next to where the approved eight-screen Spinelli Cinemas is planned.
Al Contois, general manager of Seacoast Harley-Davidson, said company headquarters gave preliminary approval to open the store. While he expressed excitement over the new location, he stressed work remains after the expected sale, including getting the company's "final blessing" and going before the Planning Board.
The store would not be as elaborate as the 66,000-square-foot North Hampton operation, Contois said. "At this point it's going to be what Harley classifies as a second retail location," he said. "It's not in their mind an additional dealership. It's a secondary location, basically a branch."
Contois said the focus will be on selling motorcycles, parts, a limited line of accessories and servicing vehicles. "If everything goes well ... we're hoping to be out there late this year," he said.
Contois said the new location — on a rapidly developing thoroughfare that ushers people to Laconia Motorcycle Week in the summer — is a good fit for the company and community. He said the local demographics support the company's goals and provide a fresh northern market. There are also stores in Concord, Nashua, Meredith and Littleton.
"Anybody that knows Seacoast Harley knows we do everything top of the line, and the people of Rochester would be proud to say there's a Harley-Davidson dealership around," Contois said.
Scott White, owner of Hawg's Pen Cycles and Cafe in Farmington, said he's happy the company is coming and isn't worried the nearby competition will hurt his Route 11 business. "People thought it might hurt me, but no, I'm real happy," he said. "More people means more business."
Economic Development Manager Karen Pollard said the well-known retailer recognized "the importance of a Rochester presence." She said the store is "a welcome addition to the business community, and I look forward to helping them as they move through the approval process."
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