My local Vespa dealer (and BMW, Triumph, Ducati, Aprilia, and Piaggio) Kissell Motorsports is moving. I stopped by their new location to have a look and get a feel for the new space. At lunchtime on Friday the place was a flurry of activity as contractors and Kissell staff worked to have the new location in business on October 1st.
Their old location is adjacent to Penn State’s Blue Course and will soon become part of the Penn State golf system. A win for Penn State and a win I think for Kissell customers because the trip out North Atherton offers a lot more opportunity for food and drink to go along with motorcycle and scooter shopping. I already know Starbucks will see an increase in my business as I ride to Kissell Motorsports’ new home.
Head technician Tim was busy moving shelving, parts and other equipment so he and his colleagues can continue to offer expert service for my Vespa. And I suppose other machines too.
The shop area looks like a great work area. Bright, lots of light, and plenty of space to work in. I’ll have to take another peek when they are set up.
After Craig Kissell showed me around the place it was back to moving tires. I probably should have lent a hand but I had to take pictures. Alas, the life of a photographer. I looked around at the tires they had moved looking for some nice, aggressive tires for my Vespa to get me through the winter. They must be coming on another truck.
The showroom is impressive, even in this early stage. The concrete floor was stained dark with a high gloss clear coating applied on top to produce a jewel-like surface. Motorcycles and scooters will look nice on that floor. At the far side of the room near the large windows will be a carpeted area for the BMWs. The whole layout sounds great and on Monday they’ll start moving the motorcycles.
Painters were hard at work enhancing the appearance of the building. I kept my Vespa at a safe distance to avoid any overspray. I’m not really sure why I care since I haven’t washed it in almost two years. Tomorrow though I plan to give it a bath.
Landscape contractors were at work cleaning up the site and I expect the next time I stop by I’ll hardly recognize the place.
Make a note to stop out on October 1st and take a look at Kissell’s new home. They are out on North Atherton Street just across the street from Midas Muffler.
Dear SITS (Steve):
It’s great that your dealer is merely moving and not going out of business. That happens far too often.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
Not washed in 2?!!years! omgwtfrotflmao
Jack: I cannot stress how nice it is to have a dealer close to home. When I talk with people who have to turn each service event into a travel adventure I just shake my head and acknowledge how lucky I am.
I don’t ever want to commute to work very far and never want to have to take a motorized contraption very far for service either.
That’s why I dont have a Lamborghini.
Richard: I am a terrible failure in the cosmetic maintenance failure. The only thing that makes me feel better is that my truck hasn’t seen a wash in probably 3 years…
Kissell is now moving to the town of Tyrone, PA. When they move, they will be under new ownership. They are hoping to be in their new location sometime in and around July, 2017. They have dropped some of their manufactures like Ducatti and Triumph. Not sure about the others like Vespa. Concentrating on BMW I guess or franchise agreement is not allowing it. I dunno.
Since my post I’ve been provided more definitive information about Kissell Motorsports. When they move to Tyrone, it will be without Ducati and Triumph, but they will keep Piaggio and Vespa along with the BMW motorcycle line. So I’ll continue to have service available albeit a bit farther away. As a friend suggested, service will now be a little adventure.