Entrepreneur Mike Schwartz purchased the sprawling former Coca-Cola bottling plant on Bank Street in New London in 2013 and breathed new life into a vacant historic structure that now houses Mike’s Famous Harley Davidson — the largest Harley Davidson dealership in the region.

Robert and Lesley Harrington purchased Wayfarer Bicycle in New London in 1980 and for 36 years have ridden through the economic ups and downs at their 120 Ocean Ave. shop while spreading their love of cycling with countless customers.

The New London Economic Development Commission and the City Council last month honored the owners of these two-wheeled businesses for their “significant role in fostering the economic development of New London.”

A proclamation was presented to the business owners at an informal ceremony at City Hall where economic development commissioner, Frank McLaughlin, a former Harley rider himself, said the businesses were part of the “heartbeat of New London.”

“These businesses we honor today do much more than simply offer products for sale. They provide people a gathering place and they foster a sense of community and connectivity,” McLaughlin said.

City Councilor Don Venditto thanked the Harringtons for “sticking it out for all those years in New London,” and to Schwartz for “taking a chance on New London.”

Schwartz is credited with an inspirational repurposing of the 55,000-square-foot former Coca-Cola complex and gained accolades among historic organizations for the adaptive reuse of an historic property.

He is a pioneer in the retail motorcycle industry as the creator of Mike’s Famous Harley-Davidson brand. He purchased a 5.8 acre site of a former Howard Johnson’s at the base of the Delaware Memorial Bridge and transformed it into a Harley-Davidson themed tourist attraction with dealership, restaurant and Americana museum complex. It was the worldwide leader in new Harley sales for three years before its sale in 2008.

While in Delaware he was appointed by the governor to serve on the state’s economic development board and said he was willing to share ideas in New London to anyone who will listen. In 2010 he helped to rebuild and renovate an historic city block in downtown Wilmington that continues to thrive today.

Schwartz had proposed a dealership in East Lyme that met with some resistance before settling in Groton.

He said it took time to find the right building for his dealership but remembers walking into New London’s vacant former Coca-Cola factory to find a cold, empty building dripping with water.

“It took just about a second to know this was the place to be,” Schwartz said.

He opened in 2014 and has since been named business of the year by the Southeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce for his support of the military.

“We’re very, very proud to be here. It was crying out for the warmth that comes with a new business,” Swartz said.

Bob and Leslie Harrington purchased Wayfarer Bicycle in 1980, a business that was founded in Essex in 1972 by Richard Fitzgerald. The couple was half way through college and had no business experience.

Bob Harrington said they originally bought the shop as a service business and figured they’d run it for five years and flip it.

“It became a lifestyle,” Harrington said. “We’ve met a lot of good friends and customers through the years.”

They later hired Eric Larkin, an optic and laser engineer in the Navy who is known for introducing people in Connecticut to mountain biking when mountain bikes were still an anomaly.

Wayfarer made history in 1983 when they sponsored the first mountain bike race on the east coast at Bluff Point State Park, known as the Tour de Bluff. There were 57 riders and widespread news coverage of the event. The event continue until 1989 when it became too large for the park. Wayfarer also hosted the local benefit race called the Meadow Muffin and a junior racing team.

The proclamation presented to Wayfarer from the Economic Development Commission honors the Harringtons for their “contribution to New London’s economy and for facilitating a healthy, pleasurable, environmentally friendly and economical way to get around, meet people and promote community.”

g.smith@theday.com