The progression of Fredericktown Yamaha’s inventory and sales has mirrored the changes in Frederick County over the dealership’s half-century in business.
When Richard and Sharon Riley bought the dealership in September 1975, their business was made up of about 60% dirt bikes and 40% street bikes, their son Ian, the dealership’s general manager, said Tuesday.
As the county became less rural and more developed, their business now is probably 80% street bikes, he said.
The dealership will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a customer appreciation night on Aug. 21, featuring food, refreshments, and memorabilia from its 50 years in business.
Richard and Sharon were partners in a dealership in Virginia, but were familiar with Frederick from the annual July 4 Barbara Fritchie Classic motorcycle races, Ian said.
When they found out that the owner of the local Yamaha dealership wanted to sell, they bought it and changed the name to Fredericktown Yamaha.
One of the first decisions they had to make was whether or not to include an “e” at the end of Fredericktown, but decided against it, Ian said.
Their inventory was mostly motorcycles and dirt bikes. “Originally, that’s what Yamaha had,” he said.
The company added three-wheelers in the 1980s, and the inventory has grown to include a variety of all-terrain vehicles.
“As the business changed, we kind of changed with it,” Ian Riley said.
British biotech firm holds event at FITCI
Cytomos, a British biotechnology firm, recently celebrated an expansion into the United States with an event at the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc.
The company set up its U.S. operations in Frederick in March, and added a Maryland-based employee to work on growth and engagement, according to a press release from the Frederick County Office of Economic Development.
The company hosted a networking event at FITCI’s headquarters on Ballenger Center Drive in Frederick on July 16.
Maryland’s blend of talented workers, biotech infrastructure, and access to American funding sources made it an attractive location for the company’s expansion, CEO David Rigterink said in the release.
The company’s expansion was launched through the Maryland Global Gateway program, which attracts foreign investment in areas including biotech, cybersecurity, and cleantech.
Cytomos is also participating in FITCI’s Soft Landing Program, which helps international companies with mentoring, infrastructure, and ways to reduce barriers to entering the U.S. market.
Cytomos creates advanced automated systems for high-throughput cell and gene therapy uses, according to the economic development release.
Send business news to Ryan Marshall at rmarshall@newspost.com.