Dispatches: Local Businesses Opt Out of Sturgis Rally

The yearly Harley-Davidson pilgrimage to Sturgis, SD, closed on Saturday, and regulars who attend the five-day event may have noticed a few less familiar faces.

According to an article in JS Online, the economy has made vendors think twice about making the trip and setting up shop, as declining attendance and increasing competition for a biker's dollar has made the journey west a bit tougher.

When times were better the rally attracted about 500,000 attendees, but the recession has set the motorcycle industry back, and it's not quite recovered from it.

In addition vendors say competition for the biker's dollar is intense, and Sturgis is expensive for them to set up a display. 

"There are no easy dollars anymore," Jamie Strasser, owner of Jamie's Customs in Big Bend told JSO. "Especially in this economy, you really have to keep an eye on your business."

Strasser did not attend this year's rally, opting to stay home, as Butch LeDoux, owner of in Muskego, did.

LeDoux had a loyal following that developed over the past 21 years he attended the rally, but the building he had always rented space in was sold.

"I still think Sturgis is an excellent rally, and it's probably the largest draw of bikers I can think of," LeDoux said in the article.

However, the economy had him thinking it was time to diversify.

"I am trying to find as many diverse customers as possible," LeDoux said, adding that he didn't want to become too dependent on selling motorcycle products.