Jesse James has made the decision to shut down his West Coast Choppers customizing shop in favor of focusing his efforts full time on his business in Texas, the Austin Speed Shop. Jesse of course moved to Austin with his three kids from his two exes to be close to the other ex he so publicly wronged, Sandra Bullock. TMZ reports that Jesse just wants to build his other business, but I would bet the decision is a financial one. He also owns a fast food restaurant, Cisco Burger, right next door to West Coast Choppers in Long Beach, CA. The fate of that business is unclear.
Jesse James’ Southern California bike operation has officially hit the skids — TMZ has confirmed the celebrity gearhead is shutting down the West Coast Choppers bike shop in Long Beach.
Sources close to Jesse tell us … James is living full-time in Texas and wants to focus on his shop out there.
WCC has been a staple in Long Beach since the early ’90s. So far, no word on what Jesse plans to do with Cisco Burger – his burger joint located right next to the bike shop.
[From TMZ]
In 2006, James admitted that customizing bikes isn’t profitable and that most of his revenue comes from tie-in businesses that enhance the brand like his clothing line. He said “We probably lose money on every motorcycle we build still, and luckily we have other businesses to support the bike shop.” Earlier profiles of his company have their revenue derived almost 60% from clothing sales including t-shirts, sneakers and belt buckles. Jesse sells his clothing through Walmart, and is being sued by a clothing company who claims they were cut out of the deal. Now that his brand is in the crapper I’m sure those other businesses aren’t doing as well and can no longer float the shop. He held those eBay auctions following the scandal and I would guess he was feeling the pinch back then. This is what happens when you tie your business success to your image. When your name is mud, your business suffers.
Photos are from May, June and July. Credit: Fame Pictures
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