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Vendors say business at biker events slower this year
By Katie Brown, Journal staff
 

Vendors said Monday that weekend business at the Sturgis motorcycle rally had been slower than usual, and they have seen the same slow business this summer at other rallies around the country.

Interim rally director Pepper Massey helps lead a pack of bikers on the annual Mayor's Ride on Monday morning. Seth A. McConnell/Journal staff

"It's not only Sturgis," said Toni Lakkis of America's Bikers, Inc. "Every place is down this year."

America's Bikers, based in Daytona Beach, Fla., set up in Sturgis on July 27 selling rally T-shirts, patches and other souvenirs.

Lakkis said she blames the slower business on the economy.

"A lot of people just can't afford to travel and spend money," she said.

But Lakkis said she is still having fun.

"The people are all nice," she said. "There is never any problem."

Lt. Kevin Karley with the South Dakota Highway Patrol said traffic is not as concentrated closer to Sturgis because more people now are spreading out throughout the Black Hills.

Dan Staton, regional traffic engineer for the state Department of Transportation, said traffic numbers are down a little at this year's rally.

"We think we have seen a slower year and traffic is flowing well," Staton said. "There is some level of local congestion but even that is milder than previous years."

Fred Bennett, manager of Renegade Classics, which sells T-shirts and other souvenirs, said rally business has gotten off to a slow start.

"We always get here a week early and last week was a little slow," he said. "I think the crowd is waiting a little longer to come in this year."

Bennett said Renegade Classics has come to the rally for the past 13 years and customers keep coming back to the vendor because of good deals on T-shirts.

Bennett said Renegade Classics tries to offer something a little more unique by selling souvenirs featuring the Sturgis rally clown, an evil-looking clown that is designed to look different each year.

"It's nothing like the last few years," said Rob Ferguson, owner of Buddha's Body Art.

He said the crowds seem a little more apprehensive to spend money this year.

"We're still busy, we're still making money, but not like we've seen in the past," said Ferguson, who is based in Erie, Pa.

As he spoke, Ferguson was tattooing a star and swirl design on the arm of Paul Johnson of Denver.

"I've been wanting to get this done for a while," Johnson said.

He said he waited until it "felt right" and it did Monday morning when he walked into Buddha's and met with the staff. Ferguson said it helps business to have a strong customer base.

"People will wait years before they get something done until they can get back to the rally and come here," Ferguson said. "It's really good to see that, when people find a good artist, they come back."

Like Ferguson, Steve Kelch, owner of Panoptx, an eyewear vendor, said offering something unique and treating customers well helps business.

"I have people I know I'm going to see here every year," Kelch said.

He has been setting up shop at the rally for eight years and said customers seek him out because he offers a quality product.

"I'm very fortunate," he said. "We always do well here."

Kelch sells sunglasses with shatterproof, polycarbonate lenses that are designed for motorcycle riding.

He said a good location is also vital to doing good business. This year he is very pleased with his vendor location on the corner of Main and Fourth Streets in downtown Sturgis.

Jackie Conlisk, owner of Lone Star Lights, a company that does custom lighting on motorcycles, said business has been slow starting at her vendor on Lazelle Street.

Conlisk, of Bandera, Texas, exhibits throughout the country at close to 40 rallies and conventions each year.

She said gas prices might be part of the reason numbers are down.

"People say gas prices don't really affect motorcycles, but here, so many people bring campers and trailers, so I'm sure it does affect it," Conlisk said.

But Conlisk said she has had a good experience so far this year. "The area is neat and I've ran into a lot of really nice people," she said. "We plan to come back."

Journal staff writer John Askew contributed to this story.