GASTONIA, NC, August 16, 2010- Carolina Harley-Davidson owner, Diane Baldwin and The Motor Company have entered a mutual agreement Tuesday to retire the 

dealership effective October 15^th, 2010.  Diane told her management staff privately this

past Saturday of her intentions to retire and had a statement released to her employees

later that day.  Many of the staff members were present during Diane’s tragic loss of her

late husband, Click Baldwin and compared this announcement to another death; however

members of her staff remain supportive and told her, “We are with you until the end”

despite their uncertainty of their future.  Her staff comforted her and made the

announcement easier than anticipated.
Click and Diane Baldwin began Carolina Harley-Davidson, Inc. twenty-two years

ago in a modest building with five employees in downtown Gastonia and have grown

into the current seventy thousand square foot building at 2830 East Franklin Boulevard with thirty-three employees currently with staffing as high as seventy-five.

 
After the loss of her husband, many speculated that she would close the store or sell to another investor but the decision to continue operating solely was made. After two years and eighteen days Diane’s and daughter, Chelsea’s emotional journey without their beloved husband and father, have brought the two to the realization this legacy is ready for retirement.   Simply stated, without Click, there is no Carolina Harley-Davidson. Diane’s retirement plans at this time willfocus on selling the building and

sorting Click’s toys…“that in itself will be a full-time job” Diane stated. 
Diane plans to address her customers and the community next weekend at their

8^TH Annul Bikes, Boogie & BBQ and now final event.  With the retirement agreement

now determined between the two companies, the anticipated crowd and celebration is

expected to be great.  Diane and dealer number 3479 areready to let the retirement

celebrations begin.
Carolina Harley-Davidson in Gastonia has ranked in the top 25 highest ranking

dealerships over the years and been recognized in the Top 100 dealers in the power motor sports industry in North America.  With over 600 Harley-Davidson dealerships world-wide, the dealership will always be known as “Unlike Any Other!”