Page 140 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2019

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There’s just something magnetic about things from the past. Whether it’s the smell of an old book, the feel of worn leather or the rumble of a long-forgotten engine coming back to life, there’s nothing like the feeling a nostalgic item incites.
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos by Donn Hupp
French & Sons in Gulfport is dedicated to restoring the old as well as maintaining the new – motorcycles that is. The shop has a retro vibe that perfectly suits its brand of cool, classic vintage style. Galvanized metal hangs from the ceiling and faded boards cover the walls, which are accented by antique signage, gas tanks and various odds and ends.
What sets French & Sons apart though is the people. What started out as a shared passion for motorcycles has grown in a thriving business run by a group of friends. George French, his sons Danny and Brent, and Bob Kopp, the mechanical mastermind, make up the core of French & Sons, who were later joined by Rick, Al, Will and Billy.
“The original business was really just an extension of our hobby,” George said. “My sons and I spent much of our spare time rebuilding old motorcycles and riding them. Our thought was that we could open the shop, get our parts and supplies at wholesale prices and sell a few things to potential customers. It was really an excuse to play with motorcycles all day and tell our wives
Mechanical mastermind Bob Kopp at his work station.
140 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • October 2019
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