Easyriders to open at former O'Mealey's site

The former Mrs. O'Mealey's (ne Heritage) Cafeteria on South Glenstone at Meadowmere is in the process of a facelift and complete interior make-over, according to its new owners, the Thompson family.

Brothers Darin and Dale Thompson Jr., who jointly operate the family business, said the Thompsons own eight KFC stores spread among several small communities around Springfield, the closest being in Republic.

The franchise owners plan to open a new KFC store later this year in Buffalo, in conjunction with Taco Bell, however, the Thompsons' new venture in Springfield has nothing to do with either fried chicken or food service.

Instead, the family is branching out into retail, acquiring the building on Glenstone to open an Easyriders cycle shop specializing in American V-twin motorcycles, along with parts, accessories and apparel, Dale Thompson Jr. said.

The 10,000-square-foot building was purchased in October of 1999 for $370,000. Todd Chambers, of Chambers Real Estate Services LLC, represented the Thompson family in the purchase.

By the end of February, all permits were obtained, renovation plans submitted to the city for approval, and the structure was completely gutted, Thompson said.

An estimated $250,000 will go into the renovation. with Rasmus Design & Associates of Dublin, Calif., providing the interior design, according to Dale Thompson Jr.

Thompson said Rasmus Design specializes in motorcycle shop design and promises to "turn lookers into shoppers" with their designs.

The Thompson family has long been interested in the motorcycle business, and they began studying the market around 1992.

Once they made the commitment to open the shop in Springfield, the family entered into a license agreement with the national Easyriders Corporation. The corporation not only lends its name recognition to licensees, but it offers training and marketing support to store managers and service technicians.

Dale Thompson Jr., his father and his mother Diane went through an intensive five-day course of training at the corporate headquarters in Ohio. The elder Thompsons, who retired from the chicken business, have jumped back into active duty to help get the new venture off the ground.

In the beginning, the store will be open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Dale Thompson Jr. is president of the company, and brother Darin is secretary.

Dale will be active in the daily operation of the business, while Darin will remain in charge of the KFC stores and participate from the sidelines.

The brothers expect to have at least six full-time employees, with an additional three to four part-time workers on the payroll, excluding family members.

Three key employees outside the family have already been hired. Roger Bergei, owner of A/C Precision Fabrications, now located on East Sunshine, will close his business to become service manager for the new Easyriders store, according to the Thompsons.

Bergei is nationally known as a master bike builder. His assistant, Curtis Weatherman, will follow him into the service department as technician. Carla Bergei will be part of the sales force, specializing in apparel.

The Thompsons attended a dealer expo in Indianapolis, Ind., in February to hook up with vendors and become familiar with products associated with motorcycling. The store will carry Big Dog, Confederate and other American V-twin brands.

The motorcycle craze has been big for a number of years and is getting bigger, according the Dale Thompson Jr. And it's not just a guy thing more and more women are getting into cycling, he said.

The Thompsons plan to get involved in as many charity events connected with cycling as possible.

They have already committed to help sponsor a "Bikers for Kids" event scheduled for September.

The mission statement for the new store reads: "We will provide quality accessories, motorcycles, parts and service at fair, profitable prices with exceptional, unequaled customer service."

The brothers have some long-range goals, but no set plans for future growth. They have negotiated an exclusive agreement with Easyriders on franchise areas outside of Springfield, including Kansas City, in anticipation of expansion down the road.

But for now, the primary goal is opening to new store.

They are concentrating on making it a complete success whatever it takes, according to Darin.

"We will dig in head first and not come up for air for about 90 days," Darin said.

The Easyriders Springfield store already has a Web site at

www.ezrspringfield.com

with a link to the national site

www.easyriders.com.

The Thompsons hope to open the doors on the new store by late April or early May. An official grand opening event will be scheduled within 30 to 90 days of the store's opening, with the special Big Dog 18-wheeler on hand to display its sleek 2000 line of cycles, Dale Thompson Jr. said.

Refreshments will be available and prizes awarded at the event, he added.