Impressive by any measure, but put it into context: a former coal town West Frankfort, Illinois, has a population of around 7,000. The showroom is housed in the former Desoto dealership Bill Senior bought when he mustered out of the Marine Corps and the same faded paint adorns the brick exterior with the legend “Bill Glodich & Sons Honda.” If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it? “We made some renovations a couple years ago to keep things up to code, but you couldn’t build a better building than we have,” notes Mike. Proof is what is inside that counts more than recreating the Taj Mahal and the dealership has been a community landmark for the three quarters of a century. Knowing your customer, treating them right and telling the truth all these years have resulted in generations of repeat business! When Honda introduced the ATC, Glodich Honda found its sweet spot. “Back in the ATC heyday, we were selling 300+ three wheelers a year… at least one a day all year long,” Mike recollects. They even have 250Rs 185s, Big Reds and other landmark ATCs on display in the showroom to this day. “We put them on the floor from our museum this week. It is the iconic ATC250R… the machine legends were made on and customers have endless stories while riding.” However all classics come with a big “NOT FOR SALE” hang tag as they are from the fully stocked museum across the street.
BILL GLODICH HONDA
How many vintage and classic Honda are housed in the Glodich Museum? “A lot,” laughs Mike! “We have a bit of everything from the chrome tanked Z50s to a CX500 Turbo that has never been started. There is even one of the limited edition Smokin’ Joes edition CBR 600F3 still in the crate in an adjoining warehouse.” The museum hosts the open house the last Saturday of the month in June.
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So what does the family with the ultimate collection of Honda’s ride? “Of course we all ride… I have a Gold Wing and my nephew Austin rides an older Fury.” Interestingly, Honda announced the production choppers are returning to the line-up for 2024. Coincidence or market research from the dealer most in touch with the customers?
Not The Biggest Dealer, Just The Best Dealer
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hen you put your name on your Dealership, you better treat people right,” says Mike Glodich, second generation of a family that has been serving the people of West Frankfort, Illinois, for the past 77 years. “A man’s word is his bond… if you don’t live up to your word, you are worthless.” This philosophy was established by William V. Glodich when he started his business in 1946 and carried on by 5 sons and 2 princesses 77 years later. “It is not what we sell, it is how we do business,” is what Mike says differentiates this dealership. “Honda makes the products, the Glodich family makes the difference.” There is the way everyone else does business and then there is “The Bill Glodich Honda Way” — see sidebar. “We don’t want to be the biggest dealer in the nation… just the best dealer in the nation.” This isn’t just a slogan, it is a fact born out by Honda’s own Circle of Excellence honors program, adds Austin Glodich, the third generation to go into the family dealership. “We were Honda’s #1 Recommended Dealer in the Nation in 2018, 19, 20, 21 and 2022 — A 5 PEAT. Honda has been surveying customers for the past 5 years… We’ve received a 100% score every year.” In fact, they were the only dealer in the country to ever receive a perfect score.
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