Ronnie's Cycles and Sales Delivering Fun for 70 Years
A line of motorcycles for sale in Adams.
"The inspiration first started with Ronnie himself, and his inspiration was always motorcycles, and he absolutely adores them and still rides him to this day at 90 years old," said general manager Jay Kopala at the Howland Avenue store.
In 1956, Ronald Ouimet turned an old chicken coop on his mother's farm on Alger Street into a part-time Harley-Davidson sales and service operation. That's grown into five locations in three states and online sales.
Today, you can still buy a Harley-Davidson at Ronnie's Pittsfield store on Wahconah Street. And you can get new and used Hondas or Suzukis, Polaris and Ski-Doo snowmobiles, and a variety ATVs, watercrafts, motor sports and outdoor equipment and accessories at locations in New Ashford, Bennington, Vt., and Guilderland, N.Y. The Adams location, opened in 1980, also offers parts and service and winter storage.
Kopala says he enjoys working there because he loves outdoor recreation and the type of community that comes with it.
"This is my world. I grew up playing in this world when I was a little skipper," he said. "I absolutely love the people you run into out in the woods or at events, wherever it might be. Everyone's like family, everyone's, you know, just open arms, usually. When it comes to this stuff, they're there at the drop of a hat to help you."
The company is always keeping in mind the potential to expand its outdoor recreation services to more communities, he said, and customers can contact the stores anytime for help with questions or for road assistance.
Kopala added that Ronnie's also participates in community fundraisers.
"We're open-going, friendly, family-oriented, and pet-friendly," he said. "We're here with open arms for everybody. You know, we even save people on the roadside — motorcycles stranded and people stranded. We're here for everybody."
The Pittsfield store is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Saturday hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ronnie's Pittsfield is a Harley-Davidson dealership which also offers services and parts.
The Adams location is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. closing at 4 p.m. on Saturday. It offers outdoor recreation vehicles as well as parts and service.
Tags: ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles,
