Karen Kistler
karen.kistler@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Motts Powersports turned 20 on Sept. 23, and the employees were celebrating the birthday with those who visited the business on Tuesday.
Darian Wagoner, who owns the business, said that Tabatha Carmen, sales associate, organized the event and posted it inviting customers and anyone to come during their anniversary event.
Those who dropped by were invited to enjoy the food of barbecue, slaw, pizza, chips, fruit, cupcakes, a cake and other finger foods and to register for some giveaways, as Carman said that almost everything had been donated, with the exception of some decorations they bought and were placed throughout the room.
She expressed thanks to those who helped with the celebration and donated either food or items for the giveaway including College Barbecue, Papa Johns, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, CFMoto, Turn14, WPS, Chick-fil-A, Salty Caper and the Salisbury Police Department.
Those who came to the shop over the past couple of weeks were also encouraged to sign a homemade birthday “card.” By the time of the celebration, they had filled one, which had been framed and was placed on the food table, and a second one, which had been placed on a table, was filling up with signatures as well.
Wagoner said he started the business after a good friend of his was searching for a dirt bike for his child. After showing him some bikes that could be purchased on eBay, Wagoner said he started looking into them and doing research, “and research just turned into being a business.”
Having owned motorcycles and ridden ATVs and other vehicles, Wagoner said he enjoys powersports in general.
Motts Powersports, which is located at 1325 N. Main St., Salisbury has been at its current location since 2014. He started out at 1303 S. Salisbury Ave., the old Sims Auto Parts building, he pointed out, where they remained for approximately three years and did pretty well he said.
They then moved to the other side of town into the old Honda shop at 1925 S. Main Street, and were there for about 5.5 years. Wagoner said he tried to buy that building but things didn’t work out and he found his own place where they are now.
An original sign hangs in the shop with the name Motts Powersports on it and underneath the wording, “It’s more fun when you get a little Mud On The Tires,” which is where the name Motts came from Wagoner said.
At the present time, there are seven employees, two of which are part-time, working at the shop, which he said offers sales, service, parts and accessories, pointing out that they have lots of helmets and goggles.
Lots of mopeds are sold, he said, which is what he said kept him in business during the lean years.
Christmas is always big, he said, noting that he sells kid ATV and go-carts.
And, he added, they have the CFMoto brand, a top-notch product, which he said he is currently focusing on. He said that many people have probably never heard of that brand, but more are sold in the U.S. than many other brands and this is their main push.
“I’m grateful I’m here 20 years later,” said Wagoner, “all the customers I’ve had that support and lots of repeat customers.”
“You couldn’t ask for a better boss,” said Carman, who said she had been there a little more than five years. “He’s just a really good person to own a business this long,” and added that they “thank the community for allowing us 20 years.”
