Indian Dealer In CT Possibly By Spring

TERRYVILLE, CT – It was at today’s “Indian Summer” motorcycle show at Chute Gates Steakhouse here that Dennis Bolduc talked expansion plans, confirming that his Indian Motorcycle of Springfield (MA) dealership may be getting a sibling store in Middletown, CT in the spring.

“We’ve got a site in mind,” said Bolduc, owner of the current Indian dealership in Westfield, MA.

The new store, possibly called Indian Motorcycle of Connecticut, would be the first Indian outlet in Connecticut, but maybe not the last. Bolduc said he’s already thinking ahead to a third Indian location somewhere between Waterbury and Danbury.

Bolduc had earlier looked at the Waterbury area for a second store before zeroing in on Middletown. “Middletown has been very aggressive. They called me,” he said, recalling that he was contacted by the city planner and later met with the mayor.

All that remains for work to begin on a new dealership is for the site to be locked in and for Indian to send the necessary paperwork giving him a second dealership.

Bolduc arrived at the first-ever Indian Summer meet with a group of Indian riders from Massachusetts. Also on hand was Butch Baer, author, publisher of “The Motorcyclist’s Post,” and life-long Indian enthusiast. Other Indian riders came from much closer, including John Maxwell of Thomaston (show below) aboard a 1948 Indian Chief.

During the course of the day, an estimated 400 to 500 riders, primarily aboard Indians and Harley-Davidsons, converged on Chute Gates for the show that hastily assembled in less than a month and presented by Fritzy’s Roamers Indian Motorcycle Riders Group, Springfield Chapter, a club that dates back to the mid-1920s and was founded by Baer’s father.

Pictured in the photo below are, left to rider, club president Ed Villareal, club vice president Dick Clukey, Chuta Gates Stealhouse owner Kevin Wojtczak, Butch Baer and Dennis Bolduc, owner of Indian Motorcycle of Springfield. – By Bud Wilkinson