UPDATE ON BEAR’S VINTAGE METALWORKS Checking in on one of our FAVORITE Ride Stops. Over the year’s one of our favorite stops to recommend to Harley-Davidson owners or simply motorcycl e enthusiasts was undoubtedly BEAR’S VINTAGE METALWORKS in Ravenna, Ohio. This unique shop had something for every Harley owner – and plenty for those that simply had a passion for riding or interest in things from long ago. And it wasn’t just the shop and what they had to offer – but the people that made it such a great stop. Sharon and Bear had a great crew of folks that made everyone feel like an old friend – even if it was your first time there! Sadly, though, the shop closed their doors for most of the Pandemic and then the word spread that Sharon and Bear had sold the business. Then we heard that they simply sold the retail parts business and motorcycle repair aspects of the shop. We decided that we needed to check in and get the scoop, and of course – we want to share this news with our riding community! This update is for anyone that is a friend or customer, as well as all the riders that have visited our store – Bear’s Vintage Metalworks & Museum in Ravenna. Yes, we are still closed. But, the reason is that we are going through a BIG CHANGE. We are transforming our retail parts store into an expanded Motorcycle Museum – with far more bikes and artifacts than we ever had before!
We’ve sold our parts inventory to “Crazy Boar’s Custom Cycle”. These are great folks and represent the next generation of motorcycle retail and repair. This is exactly what we wanted to do – to “pass the torch” onto younger motorcycle enthusiasts. We’re confident that they will continue on our tradition of offering hard to find parts and great service to all of the customers we’ve served over the years.
This sale has now freed us to pursue our goal of dedicating our entire historic building to serving as a museum of motorcycles and related memorabilia. The small museum that we had before has been expanded, with all new displays and one-of-a-kind collections. For years, Bear has been hunting down leads and searching the web for motorcycles and unique artifacts. With the shop closed due to the pandemic, he’s been able to devote even more time to this – and our collection has GROWN. We now have an even more amazing collection of bikes and unique items spanning over 10 decades of riding.
This transformation has taken a lot longer than we had anticipated, but we are hoping to re-open the building as a dedicated motorcycle museum in early summer. Bear and I have planned this change to carry us into our retirement. We plan on giving tours through the new museum and running a small retail shop with t-shirts and other small collectibles in the front. You’ll also see the familiar faces of Jimi, Santa, Joe, and Whisper there!
Please stay tuned to Thunder Roads Magazine and our website / Facebook for updates and news on our re-opening. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone, but Bear’s Vintage Metalworks please be patient with us as we launch this new venture in our CLOSED TEMPORARILY 42nd year in the motorcycle – Stay tuned for updates! business. Ravenna, Ohio See you Soon, and Ride Safe! Bears Vintage.com Sharon & Bear Bear’s Vintage Find us on Facebook also. 44
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