4 • November 2026 • Powersports Business

“ It’ s a hard thing to do, but it is what it is in today’ s economy,” Jason Schultz, the dealership’ s general manager and a 25− year employee, told WTHR- TV in Indianapolis.

Owned by Phil Benson, the dealership operated on South Madison Street before moving to its current location at 6410 W. McGalliard Road on Muncie’ s northwest side. According to the report, the dealership’ s 23 employees were informed of the closure several weeks before the announcement. Approximately 10 employees remained at the time of the report.

Despite the impending closure, the dealership hosted a customer appreciation event, dubbed the“ Last Bash,” on Saturday, Oct. 10. The event included live music, food trucks and special pricing on licensed merchandise.

In its announcement, Benson Motorcycles thanked its customers for their support throughout the dealership’ s nearly five decades in business, emphasizing the relationships built with riders and the local motorcycle community.

“ It’ s your dedication, support and love of motorcycles that has been a huge driving factor behind our business,” the post stated.“ We have many wonderful memories to look back on and have made many good friends during our time here.”

The closure adds to the challenges facing established powersports retailers as operating costs, margin pressures and changing consumer shopping habits continue to influence dealership operations.

BARNES HARLEY- DAVIDSON KAMLOOPS Closures didn’ t just hit U. S. H- D stores, but north of the border as well. Canada- based Barnes Harley- Davidson announced via a

Barnes Harley- Davidson Kamloops announced in a Facebook post that it will permanently close on Jan. 16, 2027.( Photo: Barnes Harley- Davidson)

Facebook post that it will permanently close its Kamloops location on Jan. 16, 2027, making it the third Harley- Davidson store to announce it’ ll be shutting its doors in the last 30 days.

Barnes Harley- Davidson Kamloops is one of four Harley stores controlled by Barnes Garage Co., a dealership group owned by the Barnes family, a multigenerational family business in Western Canada. Barnes Garage also owns four other dealerships that sell powersports, British motorcycles, and outdoor power equipment.

In the company’ s Facebook post, it underscored that the decision to close wasn’ t taken lightly and that it will serve its Kamloopsarea customers until the closing date. The Harley team in Kelowna, British Columbia, will take over sales and service after Jan. 16.

And although the announcement made it clear that its Kelowna location will handle existing Kamloops customers, the post didn’ t indicate the future of Kamloops’ employees or whether or not they will transfer to different dealerships throughout the Barnes’ network.

“ We are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for our valued customers.”

“ We never envisioned leaving the Kamloops market,” the post said.“ We believe this is the best plan forward to ensure high- quality, continuous service for the riders in the Kamloops community.”

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BRAND ACCELERATION

The National Powersports Dealer Association( NPDA) presented Jim Woodruff, CEO of National Powersport Auctions( NPA), with the 2026 Bob Althoff Founders Award during DealerConnect 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.

See Jim Woodruff, Page 6