Published: June 02, 2009 08:24 am      

Sparks fly at Harley opening

Hundreds gather for Wildcat Harley-Davidson grand opening

By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor

Hundreds of people gathered outside Wildcat Harley-Davidson in London at noon Monday for the dealership’s grand opening and “chain cutting” ceremony.

“Where you’re standing now is now the largest Harley-Davidson showroom in the state of Kentucky, and Wildcat Harley-Davidson is proud to be in London,” said marketing manager Aaron Snukals. “As you know, Harley-Davidson has their way of doing things, and we’re going to keep with the Harley tradition. We don’t believe in any sissy ribbon cutting. We don’t do that. Harley don’t do that. What we do, we do a chain cutting...”

Owner Scott Maddux used a blow torch to cut the ceremonial chain and officially open the new store. Snukals said the chain would be cut into several links, framed, and given to local officials who were each “one of the links in our chain that brought us to London, Ky.”

Maddux said the chain “illustrates our common links and depicts our natural connection to one another. It is used to harness great strength and to hoist heavy loads. It is a symbol of our strength, dedication and determination. It also represents the bond that we hope to forge between our dealership and eastern Kentucky.”

The dealership’s plans to come to Kentucky were first announced more than two years ago. In May 2007, members of Commonwealth Development Group announced that Maddux planned to open his dealership on five acres of land near I-75 Exit 25 in Corbin. But by July 2007, Maddux had decided to build his dealership in London because he said the Corbin site didn’t meet his store’s needs. The Laurel County Fiscal Court also offered business incentives to entice the dealership to locate in London.

Multiple lawsuits have since been filed over the issue. Commonwealth Development Group sued Maddux’s company for breach of contract, but a judge later ruled the letter of intent between the two parties was not a contract and dismissed the case. Corbin businessman Jimmy Vance and his wife Donna later filed a lawsuit against Commonwealth because the Vances loaned the company more than $1 million to purchase the Corbin property on which the dealership would supposedly be located.

“We’ve endured struggles like you cannot imagine on this project,” Maddux said during the chain cutting, “but here we are, June 1, ready to open the doors.”

Speakers during Monday’s event included Laurel County Judge-Executive Lawrence Kuhl, London Mayor Troy Rudder and State Sen. Tom Jensen, who said, “I hope that prosperity shines down on this business like the sun is shining down today.”

Snukals said previously that Wildcat is considering long-term goals of expanding with a restaurant, bar and live music venue, similar to The Shed at Maddux’s Maryville, Tenn. location. The current city ordinance bans live music from restaurants that serve alcohol, but London Mayor Troy Rudder said the city would be “willing to listen” to suggestions the ordinance be changed.

“Matter of fact, there’s been some talk already from the council to discuss changing the ordinance,” Rudder said. “I don’t know if it will pass, it’s in early stages, but we’ll be willing to listen... I could see good, heart-felt discussion (about the issue) in the future.”

Rudder said the dealership, which has hired about 30 local employees, will continue to be an economic boost for the area.

“This is really a magnet... we’ve already been approached and had other inquires from other businesses who want to be in the area because this is a magnet,” he said.

Wildcat Harley-Davidson, located on U.S. 80 just past the Kentucky State Police Post, will host a grand opening celebration with live music and food on July 11.