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published: Friday, May 25, 2012
Stormy Hill gears up for 10th anniversary
Clermont
ROXANNE BROWN | Staff Writer
roxannebrown@dailycommercial.com
Stormy Hill Harley Davidson in Cler-mont is much more than a "motorcycle shop." It's a retail store that sells a wide and diverse variety of items, including Harleys, car accessories, cleaning products, gifts, home décor, glassware, boots, shoes and clothes for the entire family.
A specialty at Stormy Hill are parts and accessories for sale to help make a person's Harley their own.
Other services available at the store, such as riding lessons and licensing certification classes, Harley rentals and seller's assist -- third party financing for people looking to sell their motorcycles to a private buyer -- make Stormy Hill unique.
Store owner Janice Malik also wants people to know that the old and sometimes shady stereotype associated with motor-cycle shops is non-existent at Stormy Hill since she strives to create a "family-like" environment every day.
"There are a lot of things we offer that people may not know about," Malik said. "If you're looking for a special and different kind of gift, you might just be able to find it here. I also want people to realize that the old image of the hard-core Harley Davidson store no longer exists, especially not at Stormy Hill.
"It's a family environment in the store, which is not only owned by a family but run by a team that is like family."
Malik said her and her staff's number one priority is that every customer who comes into the store leaves happy.
"I want our customers to find everything they are looking for but I also want them to feel that they had a good shopping experience," she said. "I know I like walking out of a store with a smile on my face, and that's what I want to happen here. I want people to feel like they were well taken care of."
It's probably that mentality that has kept Stormy Hill opened all these years.
In fact, the store is gearing up for its 10th year anniversary on June 2 beginning with an all-day party filled with music, food, activities and fun.
According to Malik, people can visit the store from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and find something to do.
Hayfire -- a well-known local band -- will perform, as will the Fort Lauderdale drill team, whose members demonstrate precision motorcycle riding.
Attendees will also get a chance to browse through the parking lot and meet many vendors from the area, and enjoy free food to be provided by Beef O'Bradys.
Other activities that day will include a tattoo contest, a bikini car wash, and a chance to meet Ms. January 2010 Playmate Bunny Jaime Edmondson.
"It's just going to be a fun day for everyone," Malik said.
Then, on June 3, Stormy Hill will hold its ninth annual Hospice Ride for Angels, a charity poker run for Clermont's Mike Conley Hospice House that has raised $150,000 since its beginnings.
Those who'd like to participate need to arrive at Stormy Hill at 8:30 a.m. for registration, coffee and donuts. The fee for the run is $10 for each motorcycle, $5 per rider and $5 for each additional poker hand.
Malik said the first bike will be leaving at 9 a.m. Participants will visit various stops to play their hand with the final stop at approximately 11 a.m. at Minneola City Hall, located at 800 N. U.S. Highway 27, Minneola.
There, the general public is invited to attend the after party, which will include music, dancing, live and silent auctions and food from Outback Steakhouse for $8 per person, with 100 percent of the proceeds reserved for the hospice.
"It's a great afternoon, lots of fun and a chance for people to help an organization that benefits so many and does so much for people," Malik said, adding that her store has supported the Mike Conley Hospice House since it was being built. A room at the house was even dedicated to Stormy Hill.
Janice Malik and her brother, John Malik Jr., own Stormy Hill after having bought it from their parents -- John Sr. and Arlene Malik -- in March 2011.
They also own Gator Harley in Leesburg, which opened 19 years ago and in mid to late June will be opening a brand new boutique-type Harley retail store in The Villages.
In all, Malik said she feels "blessed" to have such a wonderful group of HOG (Harley Owners Group) members who support the charity work they participate in, store employees and customer base.
Malik said she is also glad to see the growth in Clermont happening once again, and even more so is happy to see the industry growing towards the acceptance of female and younger generation riders.
"There are so many exciting things happening in our community and across the nation," she said. "We are a growing industry, and I am glad to be here in a community that has always been so good to us."
