Meet The Owner – Everett Powersports

Editor’s note: MyEverettNews.com is working to introduce our readers to more independent business owners here in Everett, Washington. We want to highlight their businesses, tell their stories and invite you to shop locally and help move Everett forward. If you know of a business we should feature, send us a suggestion via email: news@myeverettnews.com. Leland Dart – Publisher
 

There’s a transformation happening at Everett Powersports at 215 SW Everett Mall Way in south Everett. It’s been building since February of 2014, when two long-time employees, Mark Leibold and Matt Sterett purchased Everett Powersports from brothers Mike and Ed Leibold.

The story behind Everett Powersports goes back decades. In the 1970s Klein Honda operated a motorcycle dealership on Evergreen Way. By the early 80s cars were added to the motorcycles. In 1982 Mike and Ed (along with a third partner) purchased the Honda motorcycle franchise owned by Steve Klein who wanted to focus on Honda automobiles.

Everett Honda Motorcycles opened in 1982 at the corner of 7th and Everett Mall Way and soon became a top selling Honda dealership. In 1988 the brothers moved the store a half-mile west on Everett Mall Way to a former cow pasture and built a new facility.

The new building meant more room, more parking and after a few years, watercraft. Everett Honda became Everett Honda Sea-Doo. In 1999 the brothers bought the Suzuki franchise in Everett bringing that inventory to Everett Mall Way and prompting a name change to Everett Powersports and further expansion of the building.

Turning back to Mark Leibold and Matt Sterett. Mark began working at the dealership in 1982 at the age of 9 emptying trash cans and sweeping up. He continued working on and off at the dealership in High School before attending college on a golf scholarship. He’d come back in the off seasons from working at major golf properties in Oregon and California where he learned high touch customer care and service practices that he brought along to the dealership.

Matt Sterett was a motorcycle rider from a young age, racing, fixing bikes, living the life. He came to work at the dealership in 2000 starting in the parts department and working his way up to parts manager.

The recession of 2008 – 2009 was a challenge for Everett Powersports and marked a time where Mark and Matt began making suggestions to Mike and Ed. Things progressed and in 2014 Mark and Matt bought the business from the brothers. In early 2020 they bought the building.

Now there’s a transformation inside with a remodel happening. “We’re confident businesspeople,” Mark said. “We’ve known what we wanted to do for twenty years and now we’re doing it.”

They’re working on introducing new products and have four product lines of motorcycles. Honda, Husqvarna®, Suzuki, and GASGAS. They’ve also added E-bikes and high-end scooters which are proving to be very popular.

During the Pandemic the business stopped like all others for just a bit but then came roaring back as people’s indoor options became limited and outdoor activities surged.

“We’re in the fun business, we work at a motorcycle store and want to reflect that,” said Mark as he showed off a new waiting area with fireplace. Across the way they are making a “Moto Theatre” where people can hang out while waiting for their bike.

One last point of pride is the number of long-term employees. Everett Powersports has a staff of about three-dozen employees, some who have more than 30 years’ experience at the store. “These are long-term friends, not just employees,” said Matt.

You can learn more about Everett Powersports on their website but to get a real feel for the family atmosphere and energy you’re going to want to stop in at 215 SW Everett Mall Way. They’re open Tuesday – Saturday.