YOUR AD HERE »

Improvements underway at two Craig businesses

Victory Motors, Craig Powersports renovating locations

Patrick Kelly
Construction on a completely redesigned dealership moves forward at Victory Motors on Tuesday.
Patrick Kelly

More improvements are underway at two locations leading into the city of Craig.

On the east end of town, Craig Powersports is adding additional display and storage areas while to the south, on Highway 13, Victory Motors of Craig is totally revamping its dealership.

Kevin Willbanks, owner of Craig PowersportsCraig Powersports, said he was ready to go with a larger expansion on his storefront but had to apply the brakes after the Colorado Department of Transportation told him he would have to conduct an $18,000 traffic study., said he was ready to go with a larger expansion on his storefront but had to apply the brakes after the Colorado Department of Transportation told him he would have to conduct an $18,000 traffic study.

Craig Powersports, said he was ready to go with a larger expansion on his storefront but had to apply the brakes after the Colorado Department of Transportation told him he would have to conduct an $18,000 traffic study.



“If you add more than 20 percent to your existing building, you have to do the survey,” he said.

While he decides whether or not to invest $18,000 in the survey, Willbanks said he is proceeding with other planned improvements.



So far, the derelict miniature golf course adjacent to Craig Powersports, 2607 U.S. Highway 40, has been gutted and cleaned up.

“It’s kind of an eyesore when you come off the hill and the first thing you see in Craig is that,” Willbanks said. “So we thought that would make a better impression.”

Willbanks said that area would be decorated and used to display the motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, utility-task vehicles and more offered by his business.

Craig Mayor Ray Beck said noticed the upgrade and was impressed by Powersports’ investment in the city’s appearance.

“It’s an incredible improvement from what it was to what it is now,” Beck said.

Given the current economic atmosphere, Willbanks said any business willing to invest in Craig should be commended, and he hopes to inspire some consumer confidence with his new look.

“I hope people embrace that and it does encourage them to buy local,” he said.

On another route into Craig, heavy equipment and active construction crews can be seen working away at Victory MotorsVictory Motors, 2705 W. First Street., 2705 W. First Street.

Victory Motors, 2705 W. First Street.

Steve Maneotis, co-owner of Victory, said an entirely new dealership is in the works.

“We’re excited,” he said. “It’s going to be a fresh, new design.”

Maneotis said his father built the dealership in 1980, and it is a great feeling to see it updated.

The new facility will offer a larger showroom, an enclosed drop-off area for the service department, a larger customer lounge and a retail showroom.

“There’s a lot that we’re adding to it that will be a great benefit to the customers,” Maneotis said.

In addition to improving the building, Maneotis said he has some neat plans for the business — walkways, landscaping and a sitting area dedicated to veterans.

“We want to recognize our veterans and dress out the exterior a little bit more,” he said. “It would be a larger flagpole, some seated area.”

Maneotis said the layout for the veterans memorial is still being planned.

Another construction project that has been ongoing this summer and will add to one of Craig’s entryways is the new Kum & Go.

Plans show pumps quadrupling from four to 16, with four more that could be added after traffic is observed, and a new 6,321-square-foot store to accommodate customers.

“It will be one of our Marketplace store prototypes — a new store design,” wrote Kristie Bell, communications director for Kum & Go in an email. “It will be around 6,000 square feet and will focus on fresh food.”

Beck said all the development occurring thrills him and he appreciates the investments made in the community by local entrepreneurs.

“All of these are just prime examples of economic development,” he said.

Contact Patrick Kelly at 970-875-1795 or Contact Patrick Kelly at 970-875-1795 or pkelly@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @M_PKelly.Contact Patrick Kelly at 970-875-1795 or pkelly@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @M_PKelly.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Craig and Moffat County make the Craig Press’ work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.