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Tuesday, March 21, 2000
Harley-Davidson shop reopens with quick spin
New owners reopen Browne's; Geshundheit replaces Edelweiss for German food
By Tara Copp
Caller-Times
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| Michelle Christenson/Caller-Times |
| Fred Bosshardt is the new co-owner of Corpus Christi Harley-Davidson at 2626 S. Padre Island Drive. |
Harley-Davidson stock is a real hot rod.
State distributors' stock can't keep up with motorcycle waiting lists. The equity itself hit a 52-week high Friday. It commanded $85 a share on the New York Stock Exchange; up from $55 a year before.
So it's no wonder that Harley-Davidson dealership-buying opportunities are hard to come by.
Which is why newcomers Preston Douglass and Fred Bosshardt jumped at the chance to buy Browne's Harley-Davidson from Ron Browning, who was retiring.
Douglass, 38, was a district attorney in Kerrville; Bosshardt, 37, was a 15-year veteran of Ultramar Diamond Shamrock in San Antonio. The new owners closed on the store, 2626 S. Padre Island Drive, last Tuesday and opened it as Corpus Christi Harley-Davidson the next day.
Although the turnaround was quick, negotiations began in November 1998. Harley Davidson Inc., Bosshardt said, works closely with its dealers, and a dealership transfer takes place only after an extensive screening process.
"The motor company is very particular about its owners," he said. "So not only do you not have a lot of people selling, you can only sell to qualified buyers, and they go through an extensive screening. It creates a better product, and a better brand image."
There's a waiting list for some of Harley-Davidson's limited production models, but a new shipment of bikes is expected to arrive at the Corpus Christi dealership soon and those have not sold yet, Bosshardt said.
The store itself will likely move into a new facility, but a site hasn't been selected yet, Bosshardt said.
One thing that won't change is Browning's presence. He had owned Browne's Harley-Davidson for the past 30 years and plans to stick around as a part-time consultant.
"We can't keep him away from it," Bosshardt said. "And his knowledge over the years is invaluable. He knows all of the customers."
Gesundheit
Marco Mattolini, owner of Marco's at Lamar, is making sure that the demise of Edelweiss Caf‚ & Restaurant doesn't leave the city without a place to get good German fare. Mattolini has opened Gesundheit at 5830 McArdle Road, in the same Crossroads Shopping Center home that formerly held Edelweiss.
Jennifer Paul, a spokeswoman for Geshundheit, said Mattolini spent seven years cooking in Germany and will carry many of the country's traditional dishes on the menu. The restaurant also offers non-German dishes, Paul said.
"Geshundheit is European cuisine with a German flair," Paul said. Some of the cuisine on the menu "is for the less adventuresome, so to say," Paul said.
On Retailing is published every other Tuesday in the Caller-Times business section. The column includes news of new, relocated and expanded businesses in the Coastal Bend, plus retailing trends and profiles. Ideas may be submitted to: On Retailing, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, P.O. Box 9136, Corpus Christi, Texas 78469; e-mail Tara Copp at coppt@caller.com; fax items to (361) 886-3732; or call (361) 886-4316.
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