Bowlus Silver State Showroom and General Store
• Address: 110 Cassia Way, Henderson
• Phone: 805-278-9800
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: bowlusroadchief.com
• Hours of operation: By appointment
• Owned/operated by: Geneva Long and Helena Mitchell
• In business since: 2014, in Nevada
Describe your business.
The Bowlus Silver State Showroom and General Store supports sales of the Bowlus Road Chief, an aerodynamic, luxurious travel trailer. The stateroom’s beds reconfigure from twins to almost a king. Other highlights include a kitchen, an expandable full bathroom with indoor/outdoor shower, and electronics with charging and storage options.
Who are your customers?
People who have an appreciation for design and love to travel.
What is your business philosophy?
We believe in handcrafting outstanding products with outstanding materials to last for a lifetime. We believe in multigenerational products. We believe in being kind to the environment.
What inspired you to bring back the Bowlus Road Chief?
In 2000, after a North American tour from Boston to the Arctic Circle to Los Angeles, my family bought a 1934 Bowlus Road Chief. So although the company ended production in 1936, I grew up with an incredible fondness of the original product. I wanted to head west after I finished up at the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania with dreams of bringing back great American brands within a context of today. It was pretty easy to convince my parents to end their retirement and join me in bringing back the Bowlus Road Chief, due to their love of design. So we ensured the design DNA of the new Bowlus Road Chief is true to its roots, just updated with the tech you’d expect. I think Hawley Bowlus would be thrilled to see the advancements we’ve made since his original design.
What is the hardest part about doing business in Southern Nevada?
So far, we haven’t found one challenge to doing business, other than we have the occasional potential owner who has an aversion to the Strip. Once we explain all the amazing food and outdoor adventures awaiting them and incredible sights in Lake Mead, the Valley of Fire State Park and Mount Charleston, they’re on board with a visit.
What is the best part about doing business here?
Las Vegas is a world-class city and is a great jumping-off point to visit some of the best parks in the country, so we’re excited for our owners when they hit the road the first time with their Road Chief.
Does Nevada need to improve its business climate?
We are big fans of doing business in Nevada. Everyone we have had contact with, from the state to the local Henderson office, has been incredibly helpful. We really appreciate the speed that everyone takes to make things happen.
What would you be doing had you not lured your parents out of retirement to start this business?
I would probably be sitting in a cubicle, probably in Manhattan, taking the expected path of a Wharton grad. Certainly managing and growing the Bowlus Road Chief business has been an incredible experience. Working with my parents has been fun and they’ve added a layer of support, which has personally been really meaningful.