Steve Towers, CEO of a network of Harley-Davidson dealerships across the Midwest and Southeast U.S., has permanently closed Historic Harley-Davidson in Topeka, Kansas, according to reports by local NBC News affiliate KSNT.
Towers purchased Historic Harley-Davidson in February 2025 from former owner Mike Patterson. The dealership was established in 1949 by Patterson’s grandfather, and was family-owned and operated by four generations of the Patterson family.
KSNT reports that Towers announced in a press release that the dealership officially shut down operations on Oct. 28. The decision was based on the dealership’s performance, current market conditions and long-term business outlook, which includes a larger strategic initiative to build up his business’s long-term position. That business — Steve Towers Enterprise LLC — now consists of six Harley-Davidson dealerships, and a collection of Big O Tire stores.
“Closing a dealership is never a decision we take lightly. However, as an organization, we must continually evaluate our operations and make strategic decisions that position our company for long-term success. The closure of Historic Harley-Davidson is a deliberate business decision that allows us to better allocate our resources, strengthen our existing operations, and focus on markets where we see the greatest potential for growth.” — Steve Towers, CEO, Historic Harley-Davidson
Back in February 2025, when Towers first purchased the dealership, his plans were to move Historic Harley-Davidson to a different location within 12 months after the transaction, however that move never materialized…