{"id":7831,"date":"2012-06-04T07:00:21","date_gmt":"2012-06-04T13:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/?p=7831"},"modified":"2012-06-04T10:11:28","modified_gmt":"2012-06-04T16:11:28","slug":"airstream-dealership-signals-upswing-in-idahos-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/2012\/06\/04\/airstream-dealership-signals-upswing-in-idahos-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"Airstream Dealership Signals Upswing In Idaho\u2019s Economy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 25%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-7831 gallery-columns-4 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/2012\/06\/04\/airstream-dealership-signals-upswing-in-idahos-economy\/airstream-075\/'><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-075-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-7841\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-075-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-075-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-075-60x60.jpg 60w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-7841'>\n\t\t\t\tJudy Canada holds a model Airstream trailer. \n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/2012\/06\/04\/airstream-dealership-signals-upswing-in-idahos-economy\/airstream-073\/'><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-073-e1338589514279-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-7840\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-7840'>\n\t\t\t\tJudy Canada says the Airstream life makes her feel like a kid again. \n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/2012\/06\/04\/airstream-dealership-signals-upswing-in-idahos-economy\/airstream-068\/'><img width=\"150\" height=\"116\" src=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-068-e1338589563436.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-7839\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-7839'>\n\t\t\t\tDuyane Canada has owned Airstream trailers for 30 years. \n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/2012\/06\/04\/airstream-dealership-signals-upswing-in-idahos-economy\/airstream-030\/'><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-030-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-7838\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-030-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-030-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-030-60x60.jpg 60w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-7838'>\n\t\t\t\tThe iconic silver Airstream has been on the road since the 1930s.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/2012\/06\/04\/airstream-dealership-signals-upswing-in-idahos-economy\/airstream-003\/'><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-003-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-7836\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-003-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-003-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-003-60x60.jpg 60w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-7836'>\n\t\t\t\tTed Davis owns Airstream Adventures Northwest.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/2012\/06\/04\/airstream-dealership-signals-upswing-in-idahos-economy\/airstream-005\/'><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-005-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-7837\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-005-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-005-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/files\/2012\/06\/Airstream-005-60x60.jpg 60w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-7837'>\n\t\t\t\tInside a new Airstream trailer.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>\n\t\t\t<br style='clear: both' \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>The silver bullet known as an Airstream trailer has roamed the nation\u2019s highways since the 1930s. It\u2019s as iconic as a Coke bottle. \u00a0<em><\/em>The start of summer brings with it thoughts of exploring and camping.\u00a0 For some people, that means hitching up the Airstream and heading out on the highway.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>But consider this, an Idahoan <a title=\"Personal Income On The Rise In Most Idaho Counties\" href=\"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/2012\/04\/25\/personal-income-on-the-rise-in-most-idaho-counties\/\" target=\"_blank\">makes on average<\/a> $33,000 a year.\u00a0 That\u2019s not enough to buy a new Airstream trailer.\u00a0 Despite this, a dealership has opened in Nampa. It could be a sign southern Idaho\u2019s economy is on the upswing.<\/p>\n<p>Judy and Duyane Canada are living the Airstream dream.\u00a0 Duyane has owned those unforgettable trailers for more than 30 years.\u00a0 He first bought one to live in because he got tired of paying rent.\u00a0 Duyane still remembers that trailer.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The interior design of it was beautiful,&#8221; Duyane says.\u00a0 &#8220;And the exterior of course was beautiful. They\u2019re functional.\u00a0 They last forever.\u00a0 And so I thought, \u2018Well, here we have quality at a wonderful price,&#8217; so I just indulged and I\u2019ve never looked back.&#8221;<em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Duayne had that trailer for 26 years and sold it for more than he paid.\u00a0 Then he bought another one.\u00a0 After his wife retired, the Meridian couple spent three years crisscrossing the country in the trailer.\u00a0 Judy says she learned early on that Airstream owners can\u2019t be shy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;People come over and they will say, &#8216;Oh, my grandpa had one of those.\u00a0 Oh, my mom and dad traveled in one of those,'&#8221; says Judy.<\/p>\n<p>Airstream Adventures Northwest owner Ted Davis understands the allure.\u00a0 His Nampa lot displays about a dozen shiny new models ranging in price from $38,000 to $138,000.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We\u2019re competing for luxury lifestyle dollars,&#8221; Davis says.\u00a0 &#8220;We\u2019re competing for the individual that wants to go out and buy the airplane, the boat, the second or third house.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>So why would anyone open up that kind of dealership when the economy is still inching along?\u00a0 Sales of trailers nationwide took a dip in 2009, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rvia.org\/?ESID=shipments\" target=\"_blank\">but have steadily rebounded<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Boise State University\u2019s John Church tracks and forecasts the local economy. He thinks the dealership has a chance.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Not too surprising to see an upscale firm of any type look at this market and say, \u2018It\u2019s got some legs. It\u2019s going to get better.\u00a0 And it was good in the past. It should be good in the future'&#8221;, Church says.<em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>He says there are good indications the economy might be headed up.\u00a0 Commercial activity is on the rise in downtown Boise. There\u2019s a <a title=\"Goodbye Hole. Hello\u00a0Bank.\" href=\"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/jp\/goodbye-hole-hello-bank\/\" target=\"_blank\">skyscraper going up<\/a> in the heart of the city. Simplot\u2019s JUMP project is underway, and a <a title=\"Whole Foods Market to Break Ground Friday in Downtown Boise\" href=\"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/jp\/whole-foods-market-to-break-ground-friday-in-downtown-boise\/\" target=\"_blank\">Whole Foods<\/a> is taking shape.<\/p>\n<p>Ted Davis thinks the market is perfect for his trailers.\u00a0 &#8220;I firmly believe that there\u2019s not a better market for this product because of the phenomenal outdoors that we have.\u00a0 I mean you can spend your life exploring the Northwest and never see it all,&#8221; Davis says.<em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>So far his strategy has worked.\u00a0 Davis started his Oregon store in 2010. He opened the Seattle branch last year.\u00a0 Both locations are leading sellers for the brand, according to Airstream\u2019s President and CEO Bob Wheeler.\u00a0 &#8220;They\u2019ve really been the poster child for how a focused dealership can really succeed and succeed very quickly,&#8221; says Wheeler.<\/p>\n<p>He says Davis is among a handful of dealers who focuses on selling one brand.\u00a0 Wheeler wants to use that model to expand into markets where Airstream doesn\u2019t have much of a presence.\u00a0 Places like Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, and Phoenix.<\/p>\n<p>He says half of his customers want a luxury lifestyle.\u00a0 The others are like Judy and Duyane Canada who want to explore.\u00a0 For Judy, Airstream represents a community of like-minded travelers.\u00a0 She says a trip to Oregon last year with fellow Airstreamers made her feel like a kid again.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We were hiding behind these huge redwood trees and jumping out and scaring each other,&#8221; Judy says.\u00a0 &#8220;And one that had fallen, you know, that\u2019s just huge around, you\u2019re trying to look like you\u2019re holding it up.&#8221;<em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The Canadas are back on the road this week. This time they&#8217;re headed up to Montana and then Alberta, Canada.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Ted Davis will officially open his Nampa Airstream dealership on Thursday, confident that the southern Idaho economy will continue to pick up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The silver bullet known as an Airstream trailer has roamed the nation\u2019s highways since the 1930s. It\u2019s as iconic as a Coke bottle. \u00a0The start of summer brings with it thoughts of exploring and camping.\u00a0 For some people, that means hitching up the Airstream and heading out on the highway.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":76,"featured_media":7841,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13],"tags":[68,18],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7831"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/76"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7831"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7831\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7841"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7831"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7831"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7831"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}