Harley Davidson dealerships in Cambridge and London winding down operations

Playing null of undefined

Harley Davidson dealership in Cambridge set to close

Rocky’s Harley Davidson is closing its doors

It’s the end of an era for a motorcycle dealership in Cambridge.

Blackbridge Harley Davidson on Holiday Inn Drive is closing down for good at the end of the month.

The business, formerly the Kitchener Harley Davidson on Kingsway Drive, changed hands in 2019 but remained one of the few independent dealerships.

“This was a really difficult decision for our ownership group to make,” said Blackbridge General Manager Erin Mitchell. “At the end of the day, this is a luxury brand and times are hard. It’s really hard to make that investment at the same levels that we had coming out of Covid, and previous economic conditions.”

Citing financial pressures, the Blackbridge team opted to divest from Harley Davidson.

The dealership had been a one-stop shop for the company’s merchandise, parts and services.

“There’s such a beautiful brotherhood or sisterhood, of familiarity to being a rider, regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity or experience level,” Mitchell added.

The business will operate on an appointment-only basis until they officially close up shop on June 30.

“We’re still delivering parts that have been ordered,” Mitchell said. “We’re actively completing our service work and making sure that our team is taken care of and held in a very special way in this transition.”

Rocky’s also closing in London

Blackbridge is not the only store in southwestern Ontario to close.

Rocky’s Harley Davidson, on Wilton Grove Road in London, will also be shutting down at the end of the month.

This year marked its 70th anniversary in the business.

“I don’t think we’re the only ones experiencing this level of financial difficulties,” Mitchell said, adding she was disappointed to learn the London would be shuttered. “I’m sure those considerations have been made by other dealerships in Canada and across the U.S.”

Loss to the local motorcycle community

With both Blackbridge and Rocky’s closing, local customers seeking the nearest dealership will be forced to drive to in Mississauga or Niagara Falls.

Longtime customers fear they will also lose their motorcycle community.

Greg Eschweiler purchased his Harley from the Blackbridge dealership in 2022. He was heartbroken by news of the dealership’s closure.

“I’ve become friends with some of the people here,” he said. “They’ve lost their jobs, they’ve got mouths to feed, they’ve got bills to pay and it affects me.”

Eschweiler dreamed of owning a Harley Davidson motorcycle his whole life but was only able to afford one in recent years.

“Cam, one of the mechanics here, [we] somehow struck up a friendship and they knew that I like this place … He’s the only guy who’s worked on my bike and that’s a nice trust.”

Another customer, Cam Crawford, was also saddened by the Blackbridge closure. He had been a customer for two years after purchasing his Harley Davidson from the store two years ago.

“You walk in, everybody’s friendly, everybody’s helpful. Nobody pushes, they just make you feel welcome,” he said. “I don’t really expect to fill that gap. I’ll fill it on the road with people I run into, but I don’t expect to fill it with a dealership.”

The Cambridge location was also more than just a motorcycle dealership. The team participated in various charity efforts including Ride for Dad, a fundraiser to support prostate cancer research.

Blackbridge even welcomed actor Jason Momoa as a customer when he borrowed two bikes while filming a movie in Toronto. He even signed the motorcycles before returning them.

A final farewell

Mitchell said Blackbridge Harley Davidson’s final message to the riding community is a simple one – “thank you.”

“You’ve been a very special part of creating this community of ridership and it’s been our absolute pleasure to serve you.”