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About Us
In 1957 Bonnie and Bob Dues started a small RV business in downtown Dickinson, Texas. Bob's existing business since 1946 was Sinclair gas station located at Hwy 3 where Sonic now stands. A longtime acquaintance came to Bob and asked him to go to Kansas to look at a pickup camper made by Dreamer. Bob had to buy three units to become a dealer. His acquaintance bought the first one. To get the other two, Bob and Bonnie demonstrated Ray's and got an order on one (that's two); then Dave Gates at Citizen's Bank loaned them $1000.00 to buy the third. "We were officially a dealer for Dreamer."
The new business took off. By 1964 Dues was recognized as the #1 dealer in the southeast and among the top 5 dealers in the U.S. for Dreamer and Wheelcamper Trailers.
Bonnie and Bob took the plunge and purchased property for their expanding business at 2619 Gulf Freeway in June of 1968. After a year of preparation they held their Grand Opening on June 20, 1969, leaving the little Sinclair station vacant. They hired 10 employees to keep up with service and sales.
The business was thriving. Some of the Dues children were also involved in the business. Rudy and Eddie both worked in the service department and Eddie was also inside as parts manager between his years at Texas A&M University.
In the early 70's the gas crunch really took hold of the business. They cut down on employees and survived by drastically reducing inventory. At that time they tried a new business starting a franchise Suzuki Motorcycle shop hoping to alleviate pressure on the declining RV business. It worked out temporarily and Eddie took over that part of the business. In 1978 they sold the motorcycle business deciding to stick to what they knew best; RV's. As the second gas crisis hit in the late 70's they decided to get out of new sales and take up used and consigned units only.
Bonnie and Bob felt it was time for the next generation to take over and wanted a husband and wife team. In 1981, Bonnie and Bob retired as Eddie and wife,Betsy, purchased the business. Eddie has worked in the business since he was 12 years old. He knows more than most about maintenance and rebuilding almost any RV. While Eddie and Betsy manage the business they have some exceptional associates in parts, service, and sales.
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