Thad Allender/Journal-World Photo Harley Davidson on Friday.

Thad Allender/Journal-World Photo Harley Davidson General Manager Eli Geiger on Tuesday.

A Harley-Davidson odometer is reflective of the surge of new developments and business in North Lawrence.

Eli Geiger, general manager for Harley-Davidson, is shown at his new dealership in North Lawrence. The store at 608 N. Second St. is among new businesses to call North Lawrence home.

When it came to choosing a location for expanding his Harley-Davidson business, Mike Patterson found everything he needed in North Lawrence:

¢ A main building – a former grocery store at 608 N. Second St. – with brick exterior and interior supports that offer unique character.

¢ Other like-minded businesses in close proximity.

¢ Excellent traffic access for customers coming to the dealer, whether it’s from elsewhere in Lawrence, communities north of town or others in the Kansas City area.

“And, relative to other parts of town, it was economical,” said Patterson, who also owns the Topeka Harley-Davidson dealership founded by his grandfather 58 years ago. “That was just a bonus. It’s not like it was cheap. :

“But I remember years ago, it wasn’t really a way that I would choose to go if I didn’t have to. Now I enjoy just driving down the street and seeing the new things that are popping up, and the businesses that seem to be thriving.

“I enjoy that.”

Patterson’s new dealership, which hasn’t slowed since opening Dec. 15, is among a number of transportation-related businesses that have chosen the northern area of town for new locations. Among them:

¢ Kansas City Sailing, which celebrated the grand opening of its showroom earlier this month at 315A N.E. Industrial Lane. Bruce Liese, who founded the place in 1998, offers beginner’s classes in sailing at Perry Lake and conducts advanced classes on the West Coast. Kansas City Sailing also sells new and used sailboats – with a focus on Vanguard Sailboats – plus parts, supplies and clothing.

¢ Heartland Motor Coach Co., based in St. Joseph, Mo., opened a new office, service and storage center at 900 N. Third St., a half-mile south of the Kansas Turnpike. The center allows the company to run six motor coaches in the area, closer for customers already in Lawrence and future clients in Topeka, Emporia, Junction City and Manhattan.

¢ Larry Ojeleye, owner of Affordable Limousine Inc. in North Lawrence, expanded his operation in January to include traditional taxis: a Ford Windstar minivan and a Crown Victoria sedan. His move was among several changes made by Lawrence taxi services.

Among other businesses that also made headway during the past year: Protection One Inc.

The company, based at 1035 N. Third St. in the I-70 Business Center, completed a merger earlier this month that allowed Protection One to resume trading shares on the Nasdaq Global Market under a new ticker symbol: PONE.

The merger, with Integrated Alarm Services Group, of Albany, N.Y., gives Protection One a broader reach in monitored-security circles. While Protection One has been known for its residential and multifamily services, Integrated Alarm has built its business on selling such services on a wholesale basis to smaller companies nationwide.

Patterson, for his part, is just happy to be a part of the business activity in North Lawrence. He has nine full-time employees on staff, making sales to customers from Lawrence, Olathe, Eudora and other communities.

“It’s a real positive for Lawrence,” Patterson said, describing the motorcycle dealer’s early sales in town as exceeding his expectations. “I think we’re bringing in some revenue from the surrounding area.”