By George McGregor
LEEDS — It’s been 25 years now since Craig Caron started a new job at Reggie’s Kawasaki Ski Doo as a mechanic, a job that is now referred to in the business as a technician. He was 21 years old and he had always been mechanically inclined. He’d even gone to school to work in the automotive field.
He had always loved motors and tinkering on them, and had always loved motor sports, had a snowmobile and an ATV. Though there would be a learning curve, he felt being a motor sport mechanic was a good fit. Back then, Reggie’s was in it’s second year of business and was selling nearly 300 sleds per year and Craig was learning on the run how to work on them.
Ten years later, Caron was still at Reggie’s, as the service manager, and four or five years later, in 2004, when the business was sold, he worked his way up to general manager. Now, 25 years later, Caron is a part owner.
“So, what would I say about the last 25 years?” he said. “I tell the employees that work here now that if you work hard and put in your time, anything is possible.
“It’s gone beyond hard work, because I love what I do,” he said. “I’m comfortable with all aspects of the business and know every job in this place, which really helps a lot. In the old days it was snowmobiles, motorcycles, watercraft and ATVs. Today we’re pretty much the same old thing. There are newer innovative products that are unbelievably advanced.
“This industry has come a long way in reliability and comfort,” he said.”Products like the Can Am Maverick side by side, or the Can Am Spyder, which is a three-wheeled roadster that accommodates an older generation of motorcycle riders.
“And even though these new products are selling to a new market, the good old snowmobile is still our biggest seller,” Caron said with a smile. The Sea Dog and off-road vehicles are a close second and third.
“After 25 years, business is still booming, our customer base is still increasing,” he said. “We anticipate a big winter push going into 2020. I would say to anyone interested in purchasing a new Ski Doo that now is a great time to do so, as there are some huge manufacturing incentives and a plethora of finance options so that we can accommodate anyone’s financing needs and wants.
You come to Reggie’s, you’re coming to a family-feeling business where you are not just a number/ We value our customers business and strive to make it their best customer experience ever.”
Anyone interest interested in a new Ski Doo Renegade 850 or a Can Am Outlander 1000, call Caron today at 207- 240-0516 or stop into Reggie’s.
And, Reggie’s isn’t just a power sports store. The business took on the Old Town Canoe and Kayak dealership in 2018 and has a complete line of canoes, kayaks and accessories. Whether it be power sports or paddle sports, think Reggie’s Kawasaki Ski Doo. Reggie’s is at 255 U.S. Route 202, Leeds. Visit 2ww.doitat reggies.com. or email doitatreggies.com.
