"Early in June it was very apparent that something was up," he said.

Paolicelli said he watched as his sales fell by 70 to 75 percent at a time that was supposed to be the busiest of the year.

Business didn't pick back up, and in February he began clearing out merchandise. American Road Motorcycles, which Paolicelli has run for six years, will close on April 25.

"Six years into this it's really very sad," he said. "I've just loved doing this and I've met so many wonderful people. I'm really sad to be closing and will really miss the business."

Paolicelli, an Amissville resident, opened American Road Motorcycles after spending 20 years as a manager in the auto business.

A self-proclaimed bike nerd, he has been drooling over motorcycles for most of his life. He saw the shop as a lucrative way to tap into his passion.

"It's really difficult for somebody not to notice the number of motorcycles that drive into the county Friday, Saturday and Sunday."

He set up his shop on Route 211, which in warmer months, teems with motorcyclists heading out to enjoy scenic roads in Rappahannock and Shenandoah National Park.

"We've been for the most part very successful over the past six years," Paolicelli said.

The store sold an array of motorcycles ranging from Harley-Davidsons to Kawasakis, along with helmets, leather vests, jackets and other gear. It also boasted a renowned service department.

But maybe what defined the store was the conversation that Paolicelli offered.

"We sort of became a destination point for people," he said.

He said people would stop by just to shoot the breeze, he said. "It was really a lot of fun, and that's exactly what I wanted the feel of the store to be."

Though he can only guess why sales dropped so drastically this past summer, Paolicelli said it was probably because of the shock waves felt in the construction business when the housing market tumbled.

Most of his customers worked in the building industry, Paolicelli said. And when times got tough, they had to focus on just making ends meet.

"The new leather jacket or helmet tends to take a back seat to that, understandably," he said.

Business always dropped off during the winter, Paolicelli said, but the summer and fall months usually brought in enough money to cover the tough times. But not this time.

"When that doesn't happen, it puts you in a much, much tougher position to get through the months when you wouldn't expect to be doing so well," he said.

Paolicelli said he tried a few promotional blitzes, but he got the sense that he was "rowing against the tide."

In a going-out-of-business sale, American Road Motorcycles is now offering 50 percent or more off on most merchandise in the store. Motorcycle prices have also been cut.

"We're just trying to clear out stuff," Paolicelli said. "We're not worried about making money at this point. It's just got to go."

American Road Motorcycles is located at 14828 A Lee Highway in Amissville. The store is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: (540) 937-9896