Longtime city business plans to close its doors
By Laura Collins
Published in News on December 16, 2009 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MITCH LOEBER
After 36 years in business in Wayne County, Sportsman's World is closing its doors.
What started in 1973 as a venture for two former athletes is coming to an end at the start of the year.
After 36 years in business, the East Ash Street location of Sportman's World is closing.
Owners Jimmy Bryan and Rooster Narron said they are only closing the retail aspect of their business, a decision that came after nearly a year of contemplation.
"A lot of it has to do with the economy," Bryan said. "I don't think any business in the area hasn't been affected by the bad economy. The retail business is labor-intensive, inventory intensive and the market is in a decline."
"That and we want to slow down," Narron added. "We're getting a little older, and we want to concentrate on the warehouse. We're getting tired of running back and forth between the store in the warehouse."
Although the retail side of the business is ending, team sales, corporate sales, graphics, BNB Designs and SW Promotions will still be available at the warehouse location, 200 W. Holly St. Also remaining on Ash Street will be Trophies and Tributes, which will not be affected by the store's closing.
The store, which originally opened up in 1973 moved to the Ash Street location eight years ago, its fifth location in town. Both said the decision to close the store was a hard one to make.
"It's like a child to us," Narron said. "It's a tough business, but it was a lot of fun especially the people you meet and the people you deal with."
Bryan agreed closing the store would be hard because "that's where it all started," but it was the people he would miss the most.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you for 36 great years," he said. "And we're looking forward to 36 more at the warehouse."
The official closing date has not been determined, but they estimate in either January or February. In the meantime, the store will have "big discounts" on its remaining merchandise.