'Ray J's Indians' opens in East Newark
(Story and photos by Beth Hoad)
Click on photo to view larger image

Ray DeLue said, 'It's all about location.'

In October he purchased the historic building at the corner of East Union and Vienna Streets, known as old 'Downtown Lockville,' and began renovating the building for his business, Ray J's Indians.

He moved his after-market motorcycle parts and accessories shop to the 527 East Union St. location yesterday. DeLue hopes the picturesque corner building with its large windows, on one of Newark's busiest streets, will be the ideal location for his business.

He first opened his business as a Harley-Davidson and Indian motorcycle parts and accessories dealer at his childhood home on North Creek Road near East Palmyra in January 2001.

'I did okay there, but decided I should move the shop to a more visible location where it would be more accessible for my customers. The old location was on a bad curve and it was barely visible from the road. This will be a lot better,' he said.

DeLue is the second East Palmyra businessman to move into this same corner building in the last half- century. Allen Robinson had a radio, television and refrigerator sales and repair business on Main St. (South Creek Road) next to his grocery store in the hamlet for about five years, after returning from the service following World War II. His mother Grace, and his wife Edith, ran the grocery business until the mid-1950's when they moved his 'electronic' business to Newark. Harry Tellier, Jr., also from East Palmyra, joined Robinson in the business for a time. Later John VanAnkeren ran his repair business there.

According to village zoning and code enforcement officer Mark Peake, several necessary changes were made to bring the building up to code. Extensive renovation work was necessary, with the most ambitious project making the shop handicap accessible.

To accomplish that, the floor was lowered two feet, the original entrance was closed off, and a new entrance installed on the East Union St. side. The building is zoned Commercial B2 with residential apartments attached along Vienna St. and customer parking is allowed along both sides of Vienna.

'I have to compliment Ray on his efforts. He has done a lot in a short time, and I wish him the best,' said Peake.

DeLue also installed a restroom, office and new ceiling. He is concerned about the large old windows on the west and north sides which allow optimum visual exposure to traffic but are also a source of considerable heat loss/gain. 'These big windows were one of the main reasons I chose this place. I will have to do something to them in the future,' he said.

He carries parts from 24 aftermarket catalogs including the well-known Custom Chrome, V-Twin, S&S and Drag Specialties. He keeps many new parts, accessories and lubricants on hand, but steers away from selling online. 'I want my customers to see what they're getting. I think it saves a lot of hassle in the long run,' he said.

Ray J's Indians hours are 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 until 2 on Saturday, closed Sunday; telephone 331.1340.

Debbie Jacobs is shown passing a cement block into the basement of Ray J's Indians East Union St. location where support columns for the new lowered floor, installed to provide handicap accessibility to the shop.

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