GRANITE FALLS, NC (May 25, 2017)…Construction has started for an exclusive Honda motorcycle and ATV dealership in Granite Falls along U.S. 321 South adjacent to Lake Hickory Veterinary Hospital.
Expected to be open by early 2018, the 22,600-square-foot Honda of North Carolina, Inc. sales and service facility at 4625 Hickory Boulevard will be the only Honda Powerhouse Level 5 dealership in the state, a fact company officials hope to capitalize upon to expand the business’ reach from Kentucky to Tennessee and all points east of Caldwell County.
“We are happy and proud to represent Honda in this marketplace which has been under served for several years,” a company spokesperson said. “We believe that being at the base of some of the best motorcycle trails in the nation only serves to bolster the need for Honda to be properly represented.
“And with the large community of dirt and street racers in the immediate area, we hope to meet everyone’s needs.”
As part of a $3-million investment, not including inventory, current plans call for the dealership to feature 10 service bays and state-of-the-art computers to assist in repairs and service needs. The company is looking to be open six days a week, expanding to seven during peak riding months, and will offer extended hours until 8 p.m. several nights per week.
The company initially will have 15 employees, with projected growth to 30 employees within two years of opening. Along with motorcycles, ATVs, and side by sides, the business will also offer lawn equipment, generators, street and trail bikes, and a large selection of used models.
“This will be a family business, and our intention is to serve everyone with respect and courtesy and with the utmost integrity,” the company spokesperson said. “We are making a huge investment and want to treat this responsibility with care that has been entrusted in us by Honda.”
According to Matt Winters, the building project manager for David E. Looper and Company, the current target date for construction completion is December of this year. He noted that recent heavy rains have slowed the early stages of the construction process.
Officials from the Town of Granite Falls and the Caldwell County Economic Development Commission began working with company representatives in the summer of 2015 to facilitate the project’s development.
Caldwell County Board of Commissioners Chairman Randy Church, who owns a Honda Gold Wing, expressed his support for the project.
“I am very excited to have this new Honda dealership coming to Caldwell County,” Church said. “Along with the significant economic impact, this will be a huge benefit for many of us Honda motorcycle riders.
“I am excited about having this dealership so close to the scenic beauty that draws motorcycle riders from all over. This will certainly be an asset to those of us who ride and rely upon qualified mechanics to work on our motorcycles.”
Caldwell County EDC Executive Director Deborah Murray believes the dealership will make the county a prime destination for motorcycle and ATV enthusiasts.
“With its elite designation and comprehensive sales and service center, we think this operation not only will be a great fit for Caldwell County, but also for those devoted group of riders from across the region who will come here,” Murray said. “Throughout this process, we have consistently been impressed with what this company plans to do. And we are eager to formally welcome the Honda brand into our growing list of top-flight retailers.
“We also are very appreciative of the work done by Granite Falls Town Manager Jerry Church, Town Planner Greg Wilson, Mayor Barry Hayes, and the Town Council to bring this project to fruition.”
