Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Harley-Davidson, one of the nation’s top Harley dealers, began a year-long celebration of its opening by the late Bruce with a party Monday night at Destination Daytona.
The kick-off party began with remarks from Shelly Rossmeyer Pepe who thanked the attendees and then introduced her entire family who have been involved in the family business at some point over the years.
Shelly was followed by Sandra Rossmeyer, President of the Rossmeyer companies, who reminisced about Bruce’s excitement in buying Joe Robison’s local Harley-Davidson dealership.
She said, “Bruce had hopes of having a mom and pop business that the whole family could be involved in. He not only fulfilled his dreams, he exceeded them.”
The evening festivities also included a live performance by Nashville recording artist, Jared Blake, and a live painting performance by artist/painter, Perego, who was joined on stage by the Rossmeyer family to photograph the painting that depicts the original Daytona Harley-Davidson logo from 1994. The party was attended by several industry leaders, vendors and sponsors who have supported Daytona Harley-Davidson and the Rossmeyer family over the years, including the Ness family, Gerald Rhinehart, David Uhl, Michael Lichter and many others.
In January 1994, Bruce Rossmeyer opened the doors to Daytona Harley-Davidson on Beach Street and unknowingly set out to become a pioneer and legend in the motorcycle industry. Over the next several years, Bruce became one of the nation’s largest Harley-Davidson dealers, with 13 locations located in Florida, Colorado, Massachusetts, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Always a visionary and risk-taker, in October 2005, Bruce opened the 109,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Daytona Harley-Davidson dealership at Destination Daytona, a 150 acre real estate complex that contains a hotel, entertainment pavilion, restaurants, bars, private condominiums, retail shops, WyoTech technical institute and more, all situated around the anchor dealership. “No idea was too large for our dad. His vision was extraordinary. When he set out to do something it usually became a reality,” shared daughter, Shelly Rossmeyer Pepe.
Today, Shelly serves as General Manager of Daytona Harley-Davidson; sister, Mandy Rossmeyer Campbell, is Marketing and Events Manager; brother, Will Rossmeyer, is Operations Manager, and Shelly’s husband, Dean Pepe, is the company general counsel. The other Rossmeyer siblings, Wendy Rossmeyer Van Patten and Randy Rossmeyer Blalock, also remain involved in the family’s business affairs and mother, Sandra Rossmeyer, is on site daily and serves as President of the Rossmeyer companies.
Sandra Rossmeyer said, “This 20th anniversary is a tremendous triumph. We set the bar by what we believe Bruce would do. Since Bruce passed, we have sold most of the out-of-the-area dealerships so we could “bring it home” to Daytona Harley-Davidson and Destination Daytona and work together. I am immensely proud of our family and our wonderful associates who strive every day to do their best and relentlessly work to deliver incredible service to our customers. It gives me great joy because I know Bruce would be very proud.”
Mandy Rossmeyer Campbell added, “Twenty years ago, when our parents opened the doors on Beach Street, Daytona Bike Week was mostly situated across the bridge on Main Street but Dad’s contributions helped change that as Beach Street also became a destination. Since we opened the doors at Destination Daytona, we have been delighted to have most of the major companies involved in the motorcycle industry vending here during the events; some of them from the very first years on Beach Street. We appreciate the loyalty and support and thank everyone for helping us reach the 20 year milestone. Stay tuned because there is lots more to come!”
The company’s 20th Anniversary will be celebrated with special events and activities during Daytona Bike Week, Biketoberfest and throughout the entire year. his year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Bruce Rossmeyer Ride for Children benefiting Camp Boggy Creek, and as such, the Ride and VIP party will be held in honor of Bruce Rossmeyer.
Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Harley-Davidson welcomes customers from all over the world, is one of the nation’s top dealerships, and is situated at Destination Daytona located just off of I95 Exit 273 in Ormond Beach, FL. In addition to the dealership at Destination Daytona, the family recently remodeled its property at 510 Main Street and reopened its Harley-Davidson retail outlet just in time for Bike Week. The store on Main Street will be opened 7 days a week.
Visit BruceRossmeyer.com for more info and event calendar.
