When Robyn Smietan lived in Los Angeles, she?d often stop into Bob?s BMW when she visited her sister in Maryland.
Smietan, who has been an avid motorcycle enthusiast for about 15 years, had never seen a store like Bob?s.
“It?s just a really special place,” Smietan said. “It?s like a toy store for adults. There aren?t many places like this.”
Last November, Smietan left Southern California and moved to Maryland where she took a job in sales at Bob?s. While the climate transition has been difficult, the work makes up for it, she said.
“I have been in BMW and Vespa sales for eight years,” she said. “I can tell you that there is something about a BMW you don?t find [on any other motorcycle]. The technology is far more advanced, the safety features [are unparalleled] and even the finish is much nicer.”
Smietan learned that years ago when she drove a 15-year old “beater” bike and found the ride smoother than that of a newer cycle. She?s been an aficionado every since.
Lex O?Brien, advertising/marketing manager at Bob?s for 17 years, had a similar introduction to BMW motorcycles when he was a teenager studying in France. On Bastille Day, he noticed the police motorcycles were “distinctly different” BMW?s he said.
“As a teenager, I was stuck” on the brand,” he said, later riding a BMW cross country. “It?s not loud, it?s not flashy, but it?s reliable.”
In the beginning of its 26-year history, Bob?s (named for owner Bob Henig) was strictly a parts dealer. In 1991, it obtained the BMW franchise.
“Before we became a dealer, we had risen to national prominence because of the successful parts business,” O?Brien said. “That gave us a real leg up as a dealership.”
The dealership, which employs more than 30 BMW enthusiasts, operates under the mantra that they will do whatever needed to satisfy customers. And they have fun doing it. Bob?s isn?t just a store, but has many extras including unique gears and a large collection of vintage BMW motorcycles, including one dating back to 1925.
“People make the pilgrimage to come here,” he said. “Our customers aren?t looked at as dollars in the drawer. They are very important to us. They really are customers for life.”
At a glance
Bob?s BMW
10720 Guilford Road, Jessup
» Phone: 301-497-8949
» Web site: bobsbmw.com
