On a buzzing Friday night on Main Street, the air was thick with anticipation and the distinct rumble of motorcycle engines as friends, family and bikers converged on the sidewalk for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Grandude's Motorcycle Shop.
Derrick and Krista Smith, the husband-and-wife duo who turned their passion into a bustling business venture, stood in the heart of the bustle. The sea of supportive faces was a testament to their unique approach, one that prioritized community as much as craftsmanship.
“This is a longtime dream,” Smith began, his voice filled with a mix of pride and gratitude. “To be involved with all my friends and my family, and all of them, pulling everything they got to make it happen so quickly.”
Before the ceremony, which was held at 945 Main St., the back of the shop served as a stage for Derrick Smith as he leaned casually on the bed of a truck, recounting his journey to the founding of Grandude's Motorcycle Shop. His passion for motorcycles and the community was undeniably evident as he spoke.
A seasoned mechanic, Smith brings an impressive 30 years of experience to Grandude's. This experience, garnered from working on virtually every make and model, makes him a veritable treasure trove of motorcycle knowledge. Smith's mechanical journey began in his youth when he joined a local club back in a small Nebraska town.
"I started young … there were a lot of bikes available for me to work on and play with and learn about," Smith said as his eyes brightened with the memory.
The move from Nebraska to Longmont in 2001 was a major transition in his life, continuing his journey in the world of motorcycles in a larger town. The biggest turning point came when he met his wife, Krista, soon after moving to Longmont. Together, they immersed themselves in the community, becoming more involved with riding groups. Their shared love for bikes and the connections they made led to the realization of a dream: a family-run motorcycle business.
Smith's history of always working on bikes made the transition to owning a shop a natural progression.
"I've always worked on bikes, so I decided that we should make a business out of it," Smith explained with an air of simplicity.
Smith is the driving force behind the new motorcycle shop, but central to this is his wife, who manages the point of sale and front-of-store merchandising operations. Her contribution has been pivotal in shaping the shop's identity, creating an environment that's more than just a retail space and shop.
"I think what's different about us is that I can't name any shop that's got 30 years of experience in any make and model," Smith asserted confidently. "They all usually pick a brand. And second, we have great attitudes."
Smith's philosophy of prioritizing God and family before his passion for motorcycles creates a distinctive belief that props up the business. His values are clear and unwavering: faith, family, then motorcycles.
"God's in our life, family's always second, and then motorcycles. And that works really slick," Smith said. "If I put motorcycles first, I'd probably be in a gang. Just how it is. You got to put family and Christ first, man."
When the time came, perched on his treasured 1977 Honda 750, Smith sliced through the ceremonial ribbon, signaling the official opening of Grandude's Motorcycle Shop. A cheer erupted from the crowd of friends and family, their applause echoing warmly against the shop's new facade.
