Gresham RV closes doors, clears lot

Owners plan to reopen service center eventually

By Shannon Wells

The Gresham Outlook, Jul 7, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

ADVERTISEMENTS

<< Prev. Page 1 | 2

“It’s one of those very sad confluences of circumstances,” Orchard said of “significant dislocations in the banking business and circumstances of the financing world. It all kind of ran together.

“(The Williamses) knew how to run this business, and they ran it very well. This was a very successful business (but) abnormal times lead to abnormal outcomes.”

Plans have not been solidified, Orchard said, but the owners intend to continue providing the extensive service required for recreational vehicles to their customers, including factory warranty service. The operation will be somewhere in Gresham, but not likely at the Hogan Drive site, which he said the Williamses own.

“The plan is to attempt to, as quickly as possible, reopen a service facility in downtown Gresham where customers can continue to have their units serviced,” Orchard said, adding that recreational vehicle maintenance is a complex and rare field. “This is not like your local lube-oil operations. There’s lots of stuff associated with maintenance — a bulky sink and electrical stuff.”

At one point, Gresham RV had up to 60 employees, Orchard said. He’s not sure how many workers the business had when it shut down or how many would be offered positions in the new operation.

Steve and Jeannie Williams were not interested in making a statement at this time.

“It’s a very sad situation,” Orchard said of “the loss of a local business to the Gresham community.”

<< Prev. Page 1 | 2