Reiner's South Sound Honda
 Famous
Since the 20s?
Take yourself back to 1920, in the
logging town of Aberdeen. Trains
are hauling timber out, the car is still new and roadways are still being
developed. It’s also when Jeff
Reiner’s grandfather father, Ed, opened a small jewelry and watch repair shop,
which later became a pawn shop to handle the need
for cash trades of the loggers and other workers in the area.
Little would anyone know the small business would sculpt itself a half
century later into one of the largest single line Honda dealers in Washington
State.
In the early 1960’s Honda was
looking for stores to pick up it’s line of fun and friendly motorcycles which
it had begun introducing into the US in the late 50’s.
Instead of opening up franchise agreements with purveyors of existing
European and American motorcycle dealerships, Honda set out to open a network of
dealers who were otherwise not in the motorcycle business just yet.
Garden shop and sporting goods stores had the demographic Honda was
seeking as they developed a new market and buyer.
In 1962 Reiner’s Pawn was no longer
a pawn shop, but a sporting goods shop run by Jeff’s father, Marv, and a
perfect target to sell Honda’s line of new bikes from.
A deal was made and the Gray’s Harbor region had it’s own Honda
motorcycle dealership.
 In
1996 Jeff Reiner (left) brought on two seasoned partners
- Vicki and Dale Gray (below) and moved the dealership out of Aberdeen to Olympia.
Together
the three of them built what is today the largest single line Honda dealer in
the state.
 In
1996 Vicki Gray was a 10 year veteran of the motorcycle industry and had worked
at various Honda dealers throughout the 80’s and early 90’s including Pt.
Townsend Honda , and The Brothers.
During her time at The Brothers she was accessories manager for 7 years.
But today Vicki takes on the role of General Manager at Reiner’s a role
unique to women in Puget Sound motorcycle business.
Her no nonsense, shoot from the hip manner is a welcome style for
Reiner’s customers. “Customer
satisfaction is what we strive for. We do sell FUN!!” says Vicki
Dale Gray is legendary in the state
performing authorized Honda service at dealerships all over Washington for the
last 30 years. In addition to being
a partner in the business he manages the service department at Reiner’s.
Gray is hands on and it’s not uncommon to walk into the service
department finding him doing what he loves best – turning a wrench.
“Our service department works to exceed the expectations of our
customers” comments Dale. Reiner’s
has a reputation for being a shop where customers can talk directly to the
person doing the work on their bike
All store employees ride.
Jeff himself has a 1986 CB700SC that he enjoys taking out and his son, Sam,
out on an XR70.
The Gray’s like to load up the dirt
bikes and ATV’s and travel to places like Moab, California and elsewhere. Dale also gets out to Enduro events or desert races several
times a year riding a CR250, XR650, the new Cannondale MX400, and a very
rare CB1300 that Vicki got him for 50th birthday. Vicki rides a 99 VFR
800.
Racing has always been a passion at
the store. This year Reiner’s is
sponsoring Alan Schwen on the Road Racing circuit in the 650 twin class.
They also sponsor and participate in many off-road events in Puget Sound.
In a day when many dealers carry 3-5
lines of motorcycles, it’s comforting to see Reiner’s making a good go of it
still with just one. Next time
you’re over Olympia way check out the store and in the meantime visit their
newly designed website at http://www.hondabike.com.
TM/Spring 01
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