PREFERRED POWERSPORTS has donated $500 to the weekly Music in the Park program in Norway. Owners Chris Menacher and his wife, Kenzie Williamsen, will update the crowd on future businesses plans before 141 North takes the stage Thursday. From left are Menacher and Williamsen with Music in the Park co-coordinators Carol Sundstrom and Greg Hunt. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)
NORWAY — Preferred Powersports of Norway will be the featured sponsor of next week’s Music in the Park in Norway.
Local band 141 North will perform from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Main Street band shell in Norway.
Owners Chris Menacher and his wife, Kenzie Williamsen are second-time supporters of the weekly concert series, donating $500 each year.
“The first year we moved to Norway, we were cooking out in our backyard and we could hear music,” Williamsen said. “We had to find out where it was coming from and followed it down to the band shell.”
The couple moved to Norway from Appleton, Wis., in 2019 with no family ties or history to the area.
“We are so happy the local community includes us here,” Williamsen said. “This is where we want to be.”
“We have enjoyed Music in the Park since we discovered it and it’s a great thing to sponsor,” Menacher said.
Before Thursday’s concert, the couple will give an update on future plans of Preferred Powersports.
Menacher will announce the paperwork for a new building on the north end of Norway that will be completed by this fall.
“We plan to begin renovations at that time,” Williamsen said. “If things go as projected, the shop should open in the spring of 2025.”
Menacher, who graduated from Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Arizona with certification for Yamaha and Polaris, has 12 years experience as a mechanic services specialist in the powersports field.
He put those skills to work and opened his business after losing his position at BOSS during the pandemic.
Preferred Powersports provides maintenance and repairs on outdoor recreational vehicles, primarily serving ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, motorcycles, snowmobiles and personal watercraft.
Menacher will continue to work from his garage at Railroad Avenue in Norway until they relocate. The new building is 40 by 60 feet, double their current space.
“He has to take less business, since we have nowhere to store additional machines as he waits for the parts on order,” Williamsen said. “His increased business, along with the lack of space, led us to start looking into opening a new garage.”
The couple said they often hear how busy the downtown was in Norway. “We are excited to renovate this new building and bring it back to good standing and have another business find its home in Norway,” Williamsen said. “We love building up Norway.”
Menacher can be reached at 715-587-5566.