From modest beginnings, Harley dealership takes off

It all started with a ride on a friend’sHarley.

“My lifelong friend Jim Taitintroduced me to the world ofHarley-Davidson motorcycles in 1971by throwing me the keys to his bike andsaid, ‘Take her for a ride and have somefun’.”

Ted Ciotucha was hooked from themoment he clicked the 1942 WLCflathead into gear and took off with thatunmistakable throaty roar in his ears.

That was 45 years ago. Today Tedand daughter Mandie run one of thetop Harley dealerships in the country —alongside a bowling alley!

It may seem an odd combination,but buying Galaxy Lanes on ArthurStreet situates the shop at a primehighway intersection, giving local andvisiting riders, from Canada and theU.S., easy access to the business.

Ted poured his passion into buildinghis own first Harley, a 1943 WLC. LikeTait’s, it was an army model.

“They were plentiful after the warand army surplus stores sold lots ofthem in Canada,” he says. He still calls it “abasket case. Someone took it apart andeventually sold it as is, in several boxes and aframe.”

There were no local dealerships then so heborrowed friend Jim’s shop manual and with hisguidance and his own sheet metal skills, in a fewwinter months the Harley was ready for the road.

“My passion for Harley-Davidson motorcyclingstarted then,” says Ted, “and it has not endedyet.”

As the bike took form so did Ted’s plans, whichled to the opening of Rosslyn Motorcycle Clinicin 1974. Custom parts and painting saw the shopgrow in popularity. In 1977, Ted applied for adealership contract and Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson was born.

Soon “I had to choose between my sheet metal career or mypassion for Harley-Davidsons,” Ted says.

The decision was made and eventually, family ties wererenewed in business.

Daughter Mandie, who’d worked in theold shop for her allowance, returned toThunder Bay with a degree in businessand marketing from Concordia Universityin Montreal.

“I was so proud of her decision tocome home and take the family businessto the next level,” says Ted. “I loveworking for her now!”

Growth and the widening popularitythe Harley-Davidson brand meant largerquarters were needed, just as GalaxyLanes came up for sale. Moving thebusiness there allowed for an expandedgarage and showroom.

“Here we are 15 years later, still goingstrong,” says Mandie. “My father and Iwork side by side every day” runningboth businesses. “He has always been atrue leader and inspiration bothpersonally and professionally.

“I learn from him more and more everysingle day. And maybe every once in awhile I can teach the old dog some tricksof my own as well!”

Mandie says that Ted is as great agrandfather to her four children as he’sbeen a father to her.

“Hopefully one day they too will walk in ourshoes and be the future of this business,” shesays.

Ted, who still “turns wrenches,” notes theyhave already outgrown the new facility and thereare rumblings of expansion.

“Wonder if they can use a good sheet metalconstruction worker, who knows a little aboutelectrical, rigging and ironwork, welding,carpentry and insulating around there?” hemuses.

“Hope they give me some time off for grand-baby sitting,” he adds. “Oh yeah, let’s not forgetbike trips in the summer too!”