The riding community is seeing some positive news, and just in time for riding season. Iron Pony Motorsports in Ohio is one of the latest dealerships and retailers to reopen since updated federal guidelines clarified that powersports businesses are considered essential.
"We are so happy and honored to open our doors again to the riding community of central Ohio," said Iron Pony Motorsports owners Chris and Tammy Jones, Derek Jones, and Cory Atwood, in an email. "Never in our over 40 years of serving the motorcycle community did we ever think we would have to close. But with our incredible staff of passionate employees, we came together to ride out what seemed like a lifetime of uncertainty."
Iron Pony Motorsports, which has locations in Westerville and Mansfield, reopened May 1 and is following all Ohio guidance and protocols for essential businesses and operations. Among measures to keep employees and customers safe, the stores have installed Plexiglas partitions at all service counters and marked recommended physical distances on floors. The stores also offer curbside pickup and shipping.
"We initiated logs for cleaning all high-point touch areas and posted reminders of social distancing protocols," the owners stated. "A customer line has been put at the front of the store to limit the number of people who can enter at any one time. We have over one hundred employees who could not wait to help get the store open again. It just goes to show what a great team we have and the passion they bring every day to serve our community. We would like to thank everyone in the industry for the support through these uncertain times."