Adventure Motorsports

New Era, New Home

Seems like it was only a short time ago, I walked into a business park building and hastened Scott McMillan out of his work trailer, parked inside what would soon be Adventure Motorsports. Turns out that was actually 11 years ago.

Déjà vu sets in as I walk into the former location of Del Feed & Farm Supply store in Monroe, Washington. Adventure Motorsports owner, McMillian is at it again, having torn the building walls down to the studs and creating a new building to house his successful motorsports business.

For round two, things are a little different. McMillan (at right) has secured enough financing to purchase the property and buildings he is in today. A savvy move many motorcycle shop owners have rarely regretted. Being your own landlord has many benefits. Getting issues with the building fixed right away is one. If you ever decide to sell the business, you can collect rent from the next owner and so on.

The original location of Adventure Motorsports was a bit of an adventure to get to the first few times you went. You had to wind your way through a business park area and locate the small sign leading you into the store location. Today things are much simpler. You simply find the corner of Lewis and the Stevens Pass Highway and there you are. AKA Highway 2 and SR 203.

McMillan took full advantage of the gutting of the new building, creating a dynamic sales and service center downstairs, while placing the parts department on the upper level of the main building which also has administrative offices, a full kitchen and meeting room. While he didn’t bring the full commercial kitchen over from the last place, he still has a complimentary soda fountain and Keurig coffee machine. A toaster oven means there will be complimentary cookies and other treats if you time it right.

Next door is an additional building that is used for storing new units and overflow bikes from the service department. With the addition of several metal canopies, no motorcycles will ever be left out in the direct sunlight or rain while on the premises.

Past customers will remember the service department was a long walk across the parking lot in the old location, but today it’s directly connected to the main shop and sports five state of the art service bays. McMillan also brought over the old heating system from the previous shop and in the colder months the facilities are kept warm using recycled motor oil, which saves the business thousands in heating costs annually.

Plenty of TV’s and an outstanding sound system adorn the showroom where you’ll find virtually every model of the current Yamaha, Suzuki, Arctic Cat and Kymco lines. If the color you’re looking for isn’t on the floor, never fear, it may be in the building right next door.

Making a move in the summer wasn’t easy since that’s high season on the sales and service floor, but the staff all pitched in and made it happen. So, what’s next? How about a grand opening celebration!

Visit the new Adventure Motorsports location at 320 N Lewis Street in Monroe Washington. Sign up for their e-news letter and learn more about the shop on their website at www.adventuremotorsports.net.

TM/September 17