Has Big Bear Choppers Closed Down?

Big Bear, Ca, November 30, 2011, 11:00am – Motorists on Fox Farm road may notice a difference in the appearance at Big Bear Choppers as they pass by.  Recently the front display area has been emptied, and the building has been very quite and dark for the past week.  In early November, Big Bear Choppers co-owners Mona and Kevin Alsop were featured on Bloomberg TV’s television show “The Mentor,” in which they were helped by a CEO of a large corporation on how to run their business better.  In the 30 minute special, the couple both stated that their business was in trouble, and at one point Kevin stated that if things don’t turn around the business could go under in three to eight months.  The program aired ending with things looking up for the business that has been in Big Bear since 1998.  In its 13 year’s in business the company has gone from making 100 motorcycles a month and custom bikes being sold at 55 shops world wide to most recently only being able to make 6-7 custom motorcycles a month.  In the Bloomberg special the couple said they were currently 110 bikes behind production schedule.  Earlier this year the business took out a loan with the City of Big Bear Lake to purchase machinery that would help them produce bikes, and they also took out a loan with First Mountain Bank.  At this time it is unconfirmed, but rumors are circulating that First Mountain Bank foreclosed on the loan, and that Big Bear Choppers has closed its doors and is out of business.  KBHR has attempted to contact the Alsop’s and First Mountain Bank for confirmation, but have been able to reach either party.