Carolina Harley-Davidson owner Diane Baldwin kept the motor running at her dealership even after the tragic death of her husband Click Baldwin in a motorcycle accident two years ago in Montana.
But on Oct. 15, she will close the business that she and Click started in Gastonia 22 years ago because she’s come to the realization that “without Click, there is no Carolina Harley-Davidson,” said Jodi Sandate, a friend and spokeswoman for the dealership at 2830 E. Franklin Blvd.
Diane Baldwin and Harley-Davidson Motor Co. entered a mutual agreement Tuesday to retire one of the largest dealerships on the East Coast along with the Carolina Harley-Davidson Museum.
Diane Baldwin could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
“Ultimately this was Click’s passion and Click’s dream and Click is no longer with us,” Sandate said. “When she (Diane) walks in that dealership, everything she sees is her late husband. All she sees are memories. This is hard for her.”
Click Baldwin died in July 2008 after his 2009 Harley-Davidson struck a 1999 Honda Civic on U.S. 12 outside Lolo, Mont., and he was thrown from his motorcycle. A tremendous memorial followed his death with hundreds of riders escorting his casket and tributes from celebrities like NASCAR driver Kyle Petty.
The loss of Click Baldwin was a personal and professional loss. In addition to her grief, Diane Baldwin also had to struggle with the collapse of the U.S. economy, Sandate said. A savvy businesswoman, she explored other options for the business, but eventually decided to retire, Sandate said.
“It’s too much for one person,” Sandate said. “Her partner died — in more ways than one.”
The Baldwins first opened the dealership in downtown Gastonia in 1988 with five employees. Over the years, the business grew, moving to a location on Remount Road and then to the 70,000-square-foot building near Franklin Square. During more prosperous economic times, the dealership employed 75. Today, there are 33 employees.
On Saturday, Diane Baldwin met privately with her management and then announced her decision to employees, who comforted her and told her, “We are with you until the end,” Sandate said. Several of the staff members were working there when Click died. They supported Diane through his death and they will continue to support her through this transition also, she said.
Sandate said Diane Baldwin plans to speak with her customers and the community Aug. 27 and 28 at the Eighth Annual Bikes, Boogie & BBQ , which will be the dealership’s final event celebration.
After that, her immediate plans will focus on selling the building and sorting through “Click’s toys.” The dealership is also a museum full of motorcycle memorabilia and vintage motorcycles, including a 1914 Harley-Davidson Model 10-B, known as the “Silent Gray Fellow.”
“[T]hat in itself will be a full-time job” Diane stated in a press release.
After October, Gaston County won’t have a Harley Davidson dealership and the Baldwin’s dealer number will be retired. Representatives of Harley-Davidson Motor Co. were not available Tuesday to discuss the closing.
At one time, Sandate said Carolina Harley-Davidson ranked in the Top 25 of the company’s 600 dealerships nationwide. And over the years, the Baldwins have been generous to the community, hosting charity events and motorcycle rides, she said.
“The community has been very supportive of Diane,” Sandate said. And the two of them have done a lot for the community.”
Originally posted at gastongazette.com
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