LINDON — A proposed Timpanogos Harley-Davidson dealership in Lindon is far more than just a parts shop — it's more a destination, complete with outdoor safety-riding course, indoor restaurants and an observation deck.
"Most dealerships, if you're not going in there to buy a part for your $20,000 motorcycle, there's no reason (to go in)," said Dave Tuomisto, owner of an existing and soon-to-be replaced Utah County Harley-Davidson shop, 350 W. 800 North in Orem. "This is about families who can go eat, buy a T-shirt, (have) things to do."
The proposed 60,000-square-foot dealership will be built from reclaimed Geneva Steel building materials.
Tuomisto has been busy gathering timbers, beams, steel lattice — anything with a "legacy of Geneva," he said.
If plans are realized, visitors to the future Timpanogos Harley-Davidson shop — on six acres near I-15 at 600 S. Geneva Road — can take a riding class from an instructor on the outdoor on-site rider safety track.
They can also eat at two restaurants, peruse a gift shop or relax in a riders' lounge, which will have places to shower and check e-mail.
"These guys that ride their bikes through the country — they'll go a couple hundred miles out of their way to go to this," Tuomisto said.
Bikers also will be able to check out flat screen TVs showing Doplar radar weather updates, helping them plan the rest of their rides.
Tuomisto's restaurant background — he's founder of the Mexican chain restaurant Bajio — and his love of riding make the new store a perfect combination, he said, and a great asset for Utah County.
"I can't think of any business that would sell 2,000 shirts a month that say Lindon, Utah, other than us," an optimistic Tuomisto said with a laugh. "It's great exposure for the city."
The building design will have specific Utah County flavor but must still conform to some corporate Harley-Davidson rules, said architect Kevin Scholz, who, with this project, is building his first Harley-Davidson dealership.
"This particular dealership is really unique," Scholz said. "(Harley) really is the creme de la creme of American motorcycles. This dealership is unique in that it's kind of going back to Harley-Davidson's roots."
The building design was presented to the Lindon City Council last week. Tuomisto's next step is to present a site plan, said Ott Dameron, city administrator.
"The City Council liked what they saw . . . and wished him luck," Dameron said.
The property was once home to an old cafe, truck stop and gas station, which burned down many years ago and was never rebuilt, Dameron said.
Demolition is under way to prepare the land for the dealership, which Tuomisto hopes can be open by next July.
There are seven Harley-Davidson dealerships in Utah.
E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com