|
|
Posts: 676
Location: Wisconsin | They are closing the two Wisconsin stores.....Sucks, I like the fishing selection there compared to Gander and the others..... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 82
Location: Minneapolis,Mn | Why!!!  |
|
| |
|
Posts: 303
| greenbay and? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | sbro73 - 3/10/2009 8:50 PM
Why!!! :(
Economic downturn. 15 stores were also recently purchased by a Canadian Co-op. If there are French Canadians involved I would imagine the closing of the WI stores may also be retaliation for the MAC.
Kevin
The economy sucks. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 529
Location: Not Where I Want To Be | Green Bay and New Berlin |
|
| |
|
Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | From a post by SUnshine on WalleyeFIRST
Sportsman's Warehouse stores closing in Wisconsin
By Doris Hajewski of the Journal Sentinel
Mar. 10, 2009 3:02 p.m. | Sportsman's Warehouse in New Berlin and De Pere will close in 60 days, the company announced Tuesday.
The stores, which opened in 2004, are among 23 that will be closed by the Utah-based sporting goods chain. New Berlin store manager Wanda Luebke said a liquidation sale will begin soon. Sixty people are employed at the store.
Sportsman's Warehouse also announced the sale of 15 locations to UFA Co-operative LImited, of Alberta, B.C. A release on the company's Web site said Sportsman's Warehouse hopes to stay in business elsewhere with 2,300 employees.
Before the closings and sale, the company operated 67 stores in 29 states. Sportsman's Warehouse is privately owned, with revenues of about $800 million. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 5
| Hi
All of the Minnesota stores are closing also.
Steve |
|
| |
|
Posts: 4266
| They sure spend a hell of alot of money on advertising. The sponsor a couple of "nights" on the Outdoor Channel. Maybe since they are a catalog operation as well as a string of retail stores, they are going to stick with the catalog sales and minimize the retail stores to cut costs. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 676
Location: Wisconsin | I didn't know they had a catalog? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | That really stinks! Good chain and stores to shop at. |
|
| |
|
| http://www.newwest.net/city/article/sportsmans_warehouse_closing_23... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | They closed the West Bend store about a year ago too. Cabela's did them in. I too was very impressed with thier fishing dept. I bought alot of leader making stuff we just don't carry. I'm pretty disapointed to see them go. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | That blows. The Depere store was such a nice convenience for me, and it seemed that I needed to stop for at least something on every Green Bay trip, to or fro. Their selection and prices were simply unbeatable in WI. Too bad. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1039
Location: North St. Paul, MN | Easily the best prices out there! They outdid Gander Mtn. right across the street in Woodbury by at least a dollar on every fishing lure (sometimes 3$). Anybody know the timetable when they'll be closing in MN, especially the Woodbury location since I'm right down Ct. Rd. 19 from em'?
Customer service was WAY BETTER than Gander Mtn., too...not even close, just like their prices.
Steve |
|
| |
|
Posts: 676
Location: Wisconsin | <p>I think Gander learned the hard way that you really need a catalog and website to draw in people especially since so many are looking on websites before they head to a store and shop. Sportsmans didn't really have either. <br /></p>
Edited by Muskiemetal 3/11/2009 11:35 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1906
Location: Oconto Falls, WI | I also really like Sportsmans warehaouse. The had a great selection for shooting supplies as well. This was always my first place to shop before I hit Gander and Fleet Farm in Green bay. |
|
| |
|
Location: Right Here | I just got word yesterday that they're closing the one in Lafayette, IN too. I really liked the store, but knew it wouldn't last. Lafayette is a college town, not a very outdoorsy town. No big sporting goods store has ever lasted there.
It does suck for sure.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | Muskiemetal - 3/11/2009 11:32 AM
I think Gander learned the hard way that you really need a catalog and website to draw in people especially since so many are looking on websites before they head to a store and shop. Sportsmans didn't really have either.
It took a court battle with Cabela's to get both the catalog and website rights back. That happened within the last year. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 676
Location: Wisconsin | I went through the first bankruptcy back in 95 with Gander, I actually like the Gander old catalog, Cabelas used to never have good fishing equipment in theirs (hunting) and Bass Pro was just well, Bass tackle. I can't believe Cabelas then bought the mailing list (right?) from Gander and the rights to a catalog.
Sportsman's didn't have the long reach that a catalog or website offers, people walk into Cabelas now and talk about seeing items in the catalog and website and are their to buy that and more.
Sportsman's was great at the selection in the fishing deparment, granted the archery and hunting were off, but the fishing was top with a wide selection and lures that you couldn't find anywhere else. The crankbait selection was always top notch and you usually saw the newest lures there first than anywhere else. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 727
| NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I love that place. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | It is unfortunate to hear that the New Berlin store is closing.
They have some great people that are knowledgable about their equipment and outdoors activities.
It was a nice option to Cabelas. Good Luck to the employees. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 581
Location: deephaven mn | was inthe Coon Rapids store today.they said closing between May 12 and the 28th i assume the same for Woodbury |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | Within 60 days is what the announcement stated |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1185
Location: Wishin I Was Fishin' | I too am bummed. It was way better then Gander. Now who is going to keep Gander's prices in line? It was where I bought my stuff. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 89
Location: Breezy Point, MN | Hello all,
As a Gander Mountain Store Manager, I simply wanted to share my two cents on this deal. It is truly a shame to see an outdoor retailer struggle because it is bad for the whole industry, especially the vendors. There were a few comments on here in regards to their "unbeatable prices" etc. Last I checked, the way to stay in business is to meet the bottom line and to make a profit, and apparently their pricing strategies failed, period. Guys, it's Business 101 here, and they weren't getting it done in regards to margin dollars. We (Gander) may not always be the cheapest retailer out there, and you all have plenty of choices of where to shop. But I can assure any of my customers here in Ohio a broad selection (60 feet of musky lures) at a fair price (Double Cowgirls @ $24.99, etc) and exemplary customer service from myself and my staff. If you are getting poor service from a particular store, grab the Store Manager and tell him/her about your poor experience, as that will help that given store get better.
Once again, this is bad news for the industry as a whole. Obviously it is good for our stores in the regions they are shutting down, but overall it's not good for the fishing and hunting industry.
Edited by Tom Dietz 3/11/2009 10:10 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1039
Location: North St. Paul, MN | Obviously all I can go on is my experience with Gander in Woodbury, MN. When I went in to purchase a Garcia 7001i I was told they didn't have any. Then, when I asked about ordering it, I was told it wasn't possible. All of this was done by the fishing dept. manager of the store. I said okay and went across the street to Sportsman's...They did not have it, but the Fishing Dept. Manager took me into the back room, got online, made sure it was the exact reel I wanted, and ordered the reel for me. It arrived shortly after. I wanted Sportsman's to put line on it, but they didn't have what I wanted. So, took the reel back over to Gander because I knew they had the line. Walked in, the kid working said, "you should have bought the reel here, we would have put the line on free." I went through the whole story with him...He said, "no, it's right here"...pulls the exact same reel out.
I know it's not an indictment of all Gander's, but as a customer and "ultimate consumer" of outdoor products I want the best customer service and of course the best price.
Steve |
|
| |
|
Posts: 281
Location: Girdwood, Alaska | Unfortunate... I was in the De Pere store nearly twice a week. Hard to leave that store without buying something because there was always a deal to be found somewhere; I'm really going to miss that store. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 4266
| Some people love catalog shopping, but as mentioned, you don't get knowlegeable service people helping you in the pages of a catalog.
More jobs vanishing is probably the worst part of the story.
Beav |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | Beaver - 3/12/2009 5:31 AM
More jobs vanishing is probably the worst part of the story.
Beav
You have that right, Beav. Circuit City, Linens and Things, Sportsmen's Warehouse, etc. How many hundreds of jobs right there in the Brookfield/New Berlin area of WI alone? And those are retail jobs. Hell, I saw where Walmart closed a store or two in AK. If the evil empire is closing up shop, Best Buy, Target, K-Mart, etc. can't be feeling too comfortable. How many of those people were relying on those jobs to pay the mortgages on their homes that are declining in value?
It is UGLY, and bound to get uglier. Thank God the banks get bailed out.
Kevin
|
|
| |
|
| Tom, you I am afraid are in the minority as far as fair Gander Mountain prices go the Eden Prairie store is still charging $29.99 for the DCG. I wish you ran the E.P. store. It has gotten to the point where I have to ask for the price match guarantee on nearly every item I buy, it gets old after awhile. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 375
Location: Browerville, Minnesota | Hey at least the Gander you go into has DCG's. The store in St Cloud has the worst selection of Musky tackle I have seen yet. Go into Sportmans and they have a TON of musky tackle and everything that I needed. Really sorry to see them closing up shop. What sucks for me is the closest good musky store is now Reeds in Walker, which is two hours away, or Ganders which just don't cater to the Musky crowd. I listened to an employee in the fishing department tell a customer that the difference between a Garcia 6500C3 and a C4 was the color of the reel. Oh boy!!!! I don't mean for this to come off as a bashing of Gander, as it isn't intended to be that, just pointing out the difference between the Sportmans Warehouse and Ganders that I go to.
Edited by Manta18 3/12/2009 8:47 AM
|
|
| |
|
| Tom, you I am afraid are in the minority as far as fair Gander Mountain prices go the Eden Prairie store is still charging $29.99 for the DCG. I wish you ran the E.P. store. It has gotten to the point where I have to ask for the price match guarantee on nearly every item I buy, it gets old after awhile.
but really, so what?
here's the dirty little secret about capitalism...Gander Mountain is charging that price for DCGs because they CAN. why can they charge it? because people are BUYING them at that price. it's called supply and demand. if people stopped buying them they would lower the price in order to move inventory.
it's not like you are forced to buy anything at that store...there's lots of alternatives that offer all the same products at different prices.
for that matter you aren't forced to buy double cowgirls either, there's lots of quality double-10 bucktails out there that are less expensive.
if you're going into a Gander Mountain store because it's close to you, you might pay more for something because of the convenience and you want that product right now rather than waiting 3 days for an online retailer to ship it to you.
that's your choice.
another aspect of free enterprise is that it's brutal. if you don't have the right recipe to sell products, you go out of business. it's worth noting that Sportsman's Warehouse is shutting stores, whereas Gander Mountain is not. as a group, consumers weren't happy enough with SW to spend enough money there to keep those stores open; Gander apparently is still attracting people. that might change in the near future, but for now it's the reality.
it may be unfortunate for muskie-heads who liked the SW selection, but stores can't pay the bills on "like"...
|
|
| |
|
| Appleton too...that's $5 more than Scheels and The Sprotsman, both within a 2 mile radius. I'm done with Gander in Appleton. Messy and over crowed store with poor prices...luckily there are choices in town.
Tom, you I am afraid are in the minority as far as fair Gander Mountain prices go the Eden Prairie store is still charging $29.99 for the DCG. I wish you ran the E.P. store. It has gotten to the point where I have to ask for the price match guarantee on nearly every item I buy, it gets old after awhile. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut | Sportsman's Warehouse deal falls through
Layoffs » Midvale company closes 23 stores, sells 15 others.
By Mike Gorrell
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 03/11/2009 09:23:51 PM MDT
Mounted geese hanging from the ceiling appear to be coming in for a landing at the Sportsman s Warehouse in Midvale. (The Salt Lake Tribune)
The deteriorating economy has drastically altered plans for a Canadian co-operative to buy 80 percent of Sportsman's Warehouse, a Midvale-based outdoors company.
Instead, Sportsman's Warehouse is closing 23 stores in 17 states and selling 15 other stores in the northern United States to UFA Co-operative Ltd., based in Calgary.
While its four Utah stores - in Midvale, Provo, St. George and Riverdale - will remain open, about 150 Utah employees are among 2,000 people losing jobs companywide.
And the blood-letting might not be over.
"I need to find a new bank, and a new credit line, and I probably need to identify a new equity source of about $30 million, and I need to do it in a short time," Sportsman's Warehouse Chairman Stuart Utgaard said Wednesday.
"It's a terrible time and a terrible situation," he added. "Let's just say we didn't get our share of the bailout money."
Utgaard said the store closures and sales will reduce company debt by more than $100 million. He expressed hope those two actions will allow Sportsman's Warehouse to "go forward as a viable entity" with 2,300 employees at 29 remaining stores.
But he was far from certain about that Wednesday, saying he was "trying to salvage things from the past four months when UFA had control of our company."
In November, the cooperative started in 1909 by Canadian farmers announced plans to buy a majority interest in Sportsman's Warehouse. UFA already had made an
Advertisement
investment in the Midvale company and hoped to complete the purchase by now. But because of "the continuing deterioration of the North American economy," UFA spokeswoman Natalie Dawes said, "UFA has decided not to pursue the acquisition under the original terms."
For Sportsman's Warehouse, Utgaard said that meant "UFA failed to complete their equity infusion, missing three closing dates." Meanwhile, banks stopped lending money, suppliers stopped shipping goods and company inventories - the basis for obtaining credit - shrunk by $120 million.
"Today we find ourselves in a very difficult spot," he added. "It breaks our hearts to lay these people off because they all have mortgage and rent payments, car payments and have to buy groceries."
UFA President Dallas Thorsteinson said the co-operative is taking possession of the 15 Sportsman's Warehouse stores in exchange for its original loan. The outlets in Washington, Oregon, northern Idaho, Montana and North Dakota "align nicely with our western Canadian geography and distribution routes.
"We cannot predict the future for Sportsman's Warehouse," he added, "but we are certain the acquisition of these specific locations is good news for the growth and sustainability of UFA." |
|
| |
|
Posts: 617
Location: Clintonville, WI | I think Lambeau's career in our state correctional system is a front for his REAL gig............a champion of free market economics as a world wide lecturer, writer and icon of all things capitalism.
Gordon Gecko has nothin' on Winther! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 999
| I was browsing the Gander here in Appleton and seen they were charging $19.99 for a 6" inch grandma! I looked at the fishing manager and said are you kidding me?? He laughed and said yup corporate sets the prices we dont, I said good luck on that one! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 676
Location: Wisconsin | For those up in St.Cloud, you can always come down Hwy 10 and go to Thorne Bros. or even Capras for musky tackle. How about Musky Tackle Online?? You shouldn't have to go up to Reeds. Even the Fleet Farm in Brainard has a good selection somewhat.
SW didn't have the base of customers that a Gander, Cabelas or Bass Pro has. Gander has been around WI and MN for years, and Cab and BPS have the catalogs that everyone has had for decades. That is powerful during times of downturn.
Look at Rollie and Helens, I might be able to only make it to the store a couple times a year, but I buy from the catalog all the time. That helps and SW didn't have that.....it sucks, but it is life. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | I just got back from the New Berlin store. The minimum discount is 10%. They will take cash or credit cards only.
Most all the higher end guns and sonar units are gone. Very little ammunition is left.
Most everything else is at typical quantities. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1310
Location: Washington, PA | I hope the Sportsman's warehouse in Pittsburgh isn't closing. But the Gander close to home has a great muskie section. If I could just get them to keep their reel inventory up, I think it's been a year since I've seen a decent muskie reel in there. Anyway, Double cowgirls aren't the only #10 bucktail out there, I buy the others for $10 cheaper and do just fine. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 7090
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Tomyv is in the HOUSE. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 512
Location: Appleton | Mr Musky - 3/12/2009 10:48 AM
I was browsing the Gander here in Appleton and seen they were charging $19.99 for a 6" inch grandma! I looked at the fishing manager and said are you kidding me?? He laughed and said yup corporate sets the prices we dont, I said good luck on that one!
I want to know why you would be browsing there when the Sportsman is just a mile away. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 999
| Rhino, exactly browsing!! Hee Hee.... I keep the lights on for a month out of the year at the sportsman. The ONLY musky baits I bought from Gander in the past year were Bill Sandy's snap tails because they were exclusive to Gander and I bought 2 14 inch Jakes that were on clearance for $12.50 each. I should have bought all 4. Im very loyal to Pete and Kevin and they know that.
Mr Musky |
|
| |
|
Posts: 373
Location: Huber Heights, Ohio | Gander isn't perfect, but they are opening new stores, creating jobs and making money.
Maybe SW should ask Obama for some "Bailout" money. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | Steve Van Lieshout - 3/12/2009 12:05 PM
I just got back from the New Berlin store. The minimum discount is 10%. They will take cash or credit cards only.
Most all the higher end guns and sonar units are gone. Very little ammunition is left.
Most everything else is at typical quantities.
I stopped in there too this afternoon. 20% off all baits. Musky selection was sorta thin I thought, but I did get a Hellhound and a GLoomis hat. 10% off Clothes, 10% electronics, 20% on sunglasses, including Oakley.
I have to agree with Tom Dietz. Sportsman's poor asset management forced their first round of closings about a year ago. Now they're out of business, most likely because of the low prices. When you try to undercut competitors, you better have the capital to back that up. There's has to be a happy balance on what you, as a retailer, pay for a product and what you sell it for. They weren't smart.
I'm not stepping out by saying we have a reputation for higher prices, there's no doubt. But we're still in business, offer quality and price competitive products in Guide Series rods/reels and we offer consumers price matching. If you find a price lower at a local competitor on an in stock item, bring it up to the store manager. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 53
Location: Victor, ID | I will be sad to see this store go. St. Cloud, Mn has been there for me.
Edited by Polarkraft1996 3/12/2009 8:26 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 999
| Gander should look at the "market price" when they decide to put a price tag on their baits, maybe they'd sell more.
Are all the "sportsmans warehouses" going out of business? I thought they'd transfer their inventory to another store before clearancing it all out. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | We're in 23 different states. That's easier said than done. When you buy a lure in Minnesota, its the same price in NY UNLESS you guys bring lower competitor pricing to your local store manager. We can change prices on a store by store basis. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 793
Location: Ames, Iowa | Has anyone heard if the Ankeny Iowa SW store is closing? I heard it was but it was because Bass Pro Shops is coming in 6 miles down the road in Altoona. When will all of these stores be closing?
djw |
|
| |
|
Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | SW is like any other business that trys to sell at LOW margins.... you won't last very long when you don't make any money. Period.
Working at low profit margins can work, for a while untill the market has a rough time , than your done.
Your in business to make money ! Or else your business won't last.
Jerome
|
|
| |
|
Location: Northern Wisconsin | i just want to comment on the gander customer service. from my experience it has been awesome. i have exchanged a broken reel and rod with no questions. the rod i had for about 2 years too. never had any problems when returning/exchanging anything. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | Anybody have word on Discount %?? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1039
Location: North St. Paul, MN | I've been in the last couple of days in Woodbury.
Rods and reels are only 10%
all lures are 20%
All clothing at 30%
I bought an Okuma line counter and Okuma 8'6" rod for trolling, a couple of phantoms, and bought out there scum frogs for bass fishing.
On all that, I've spent around 150$
Said "goodbye" to my favorite store yesterday. I spent several days, just wandering and talking with some good folks the last two years. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | Just an FYI. We won't be price matching Sportsman's. It's become an issue already at my store. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 999
| Just got home from the Sportsman's Warehouse in Depere, $509 dollars later! Only went for a bait or two...... Hee hee. I just wanted to say that EVERYTHING except Guns and Ammo is 20 to 30% off. They still have a pretty good selection of baits left i'd say around 60 percent left. ALL rods are 10% off. And they have drastically cut prices on alot of high end items which got me introuble. So get out there while the selection is still good.
Mr Musky |
|
| |
|
Posts: 62
| I drove up the the Sportsmans Warehouse in Depere to check for some deals. Got there a few minutes before 8:00 p.m. Walked in the door and wasn't there more than 2 minutes and they were announcing to take your final purchases to the check outs because they were closing for the night. Walked around a couple more minutes before we left with nothing. It's no wonder they can't keep a business going by closing at 8:00! |
|
| |
Sportsmans Warehouse