Motorcycle dealership closes

The San Francisco Harley-Davidson dealership, a historic establishment founded in 1914, has abruptly closed after 110 years of operation, primarily due to mismanagement under new ownership since 2018. Former employees described a chaotic environment with inadequate enforcement of corporate standards, resulting in lost inventory and poor customer relations. Mechanic Christopher Weber and long-time employee Carlos Martinez noted that the dealership lost its community feel and became merely a business under the new management led by Cliff Chester. The closure follows a wave of conservative backlash against the company for its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Employees reported being let go without warning and expressed concerns about the deterioration of the dealership’s reputation. Despite surviving major historical events, the dealership's legacy came to an unexpected end, leaving many in the motorcycle community shocked.