Worth Harley to add staff for Sunday sales

Rick Worth must wait a little longer to enjoy a hard-fought victory. The owner of Worth Harley Davidson at Tiffany Springs in Platte County plans to expand his hours — just not yet. Missouri House of Representatives Bill No. 1735 allowing sales of motorcycles and other recreational vehicles on Sundays, approved as law by Gov. Jay Nixon in June, went into effect Aug. 28. However, Worth — a longtime supporter of the change — plans to take his time during the upcoming months to take advantage. “That’s only because we’re in September, and that’s the start of our offseason,” Worth said. “We’re still excited about it. It’s a big win for us. It’s just kind of anticlimactic for us right now.” Worth plans to open on select Sundays in the coming months and during the holiday season before going to a seven-day-a-week schedule year round starting in 2015. Prior to the new law, sales in Missouri were prohibited on Sundays, forcing business owners like Worth to compete with bordering states — like Kansas — which did not have a similar ban. The new law repeals an older portion of the state code, which many proponents of the house bill claimed was outdated. Worth expects revenues to increase by 17 percent annually, and he estimates the increased business can support 15 new employees. In addition, increased sales could help boost tax revenue in Platte County “It works well all the way down the line,” Worth said. During the past year, Worth started working with lobbyists and lawyers to help push the law change. The new statute covers the sale of motorcycles, motortricycles, motorized bicycles, all-terrain vehicles, recreational off-highway vehicles, utility vehicles, personal watercraft or other motorized vehicles sold by powersports dealers. Worth’s estimates on new employment hinge on actual sales once he does open his store, located at 9400 NW Prairie View Rd., on Sundays. He also hopes to allow more current and future employees to have a schedule that includes consecutive days off — another benefit of the change.