It’s certainly one of the most recognizable business names in Harrison County and North Central West Virginia. And their commercials are known for their catchy phrases that often end with a robust “yeah man.”

 

Now, that business – which is operated by Bridgeport resident Mark Gricewich – is moving for the first time in more than 40 years. By spring of 2016, the operations of R.G. Honda-Yamaha, currently located in Nutter Fort, will be situated just on the outskirts of Bridgeport.

 

The massive amount of earth moving taking place behind the District 4 Office of the West Virginia Division of Highways and the Bridgeport Detachment of the West Virginia State Police just off Meadowbrook Road have nothing to do with either of those two entities expanding. Rather, it’s setting the stage for a new 24,000 square foot building for R.G. Honda-Yamaha.

 

“We wanted to increase our visibility to the consumer and the public and we certainly believe that this location will do that. We do know that the area, which is just off of (Interstate 79) will have a much higher traffic count,” said Gricewich, a 1980 Bridgeport High School graduate who grew up and still lives in the city.

Gricewich knows he’s moving a business that has become well known for many things; including its location. He also is aware of the history of the business and that – although this is the first move in nearly half a century – there have been several moves prior to the current building opening in 1972 along Route 20.\

 

“My father built our current building with his blood, sweat and tears back in 1972 and it was built as a Datsun (now Nissan) dealership,” said Gricewich. “At that time, outside of Bridgeport Hill, Route 20 was one of the areas with the highest traffic counts in Harrison County.”

 

While traffic counts, location and visibility are important reasons for the move, Gricewich said there is a more important one that facilitated the need. In fact, it’s the most simple and pressing reason.

 

“Our biggest challenge is that we’ve outgrown this facility (in Nutter Fort),” said Gricewich. “My dad built it for a car dealership and now it’s a power sport dealership. When you break it down beyond needing more space, the facility needs of a power sport dealership aren’t the same as a car dealership. Our new building will meet those needs.”

 

The new building at 24,000 square feet will be roughly two and a half times bigger than what is currently available. The new lot is in the three acre range, which is double the 1.5 acre lot R.G. is currently situated on.

 

For anyone that thinks the decision to relocate was done on the spur of the moment, they would be incorrect. While the reasoning has remained the same, the thought to do this dates back six years.

 

“We purchased the property in April of 2008 and we were bursting at the seams then … Shortly after that you have the recession and we tabled the project until things improved,” said Gricewich. “We decided to wait until things got back to the new normal.”

 

Things are finally at the “new normal.” And that means when the new location opens, customers will be greeted to the same “new normal,” which will be an even better customer experience, Gricewich said.

 

“We focus on motorcycles and four-wheeling, but it’s more than that. People try to personalize things with apparel and much more. We’ll be able to display so much more of what our customers want and have an inventory count that will slightly increase,” he said.

 

Gricewich said the additional space will allow customers to “hang around.” He said power sports is an activity and some that are deeply involved like to talk to others that are interested in the same products and the new location will be plenty big enough to facilitate that.

 

“What we sell is fun and passion. It’s not like going to the dentist and getting a tooth pulled,” said Gricewich. “You want to be here if you’re here and we want to make sure that when you’re here you enjoy yourself.  It’s the same thing as now, we’ll just have a bigger place to do it from.”

 

The new space should also mean some new business opportunities. Gricewich said he currently has 22 employees on payroll and sees an increase in that number – particularly in the area of service technicians.

 

“We’re going to be able to expand the service department and be able to do our work much more quickly,” said Gricewich. “We’re challenged with space for the technicians to work.”

 

There are also challenges relating to people picking up their vehicle. Many of the items sold require a car and a trailer to tow away a purchase and space is limited for that in their current location. Again, it’s another reason for the move.

 

“This isn’t the first move as we started out on Monticello Avenue, then to Water Street in Stonewood and now in Nutter Fort. We’re blessed that we’re able to make another move to meet our needs and that of our customers,” said Gricewich of the business that got its start in the 1960s. “Since my father Robert started this through today, we’re basically a long-time Harrison County business that sells fun.”

 

Gricewich ended by offering praise for the contractor doing the massive earth work. He said the contractor was Dirtcon out of Harrison County.

 

Editor's Note: Photos show some of the earth moving taking place along I-79 just outside of Bridgeport and Meadowbrook Road, owner Mark Gricewich out front of the existing store and the bottom photo is of some of the current inventory in he showroom at R.G. Honda-Yamaha in Nutter Fort.