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It’s a whole new ballgame for local athletes in search of sports equipment, accessories and apparel following the recent closure of eight Sports Authority stores across Hawaii.
Sports Authority made its debut in 1995 on Ward Avenue and eventually added stores on Oahu in Kaneohe, Kapolei and Waikele along with locations on Hawaii island, Kauai and Maui. The Colorado-based sporting goods retailer initially said earlier this year that only some of its 450 stores nationwide would close, but ended up shutting everything down last month after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
While sales might have stalled in recent years on the mainland, Sports Authority enjoyed steady business in Hawaii from athletes of all ages and skill levels. Smaller stores quickly learned how to find their own niche and excel at customer service to build loyalty and earn repeat business despite the bigger product selection and competitive pricing typically found at the retail giant.
So does that mean Sports Authority’s departure will ensure the long-term survival of remaining businesses that continue with brick-and-mortar sales in Hawaii? Not necessarily, according to a fourth-generation retailer who paid close attention to Sports Authority’s demise.
“The stores here were doing well, but they ultimately kind of neglected their online presence versus Amazon and other retailers,” said McCully Bicycle & Sporting Goods manager Ryan Takayesu, great-grandson of store founder Giyei Takayesu and one of multiple family members still involved in day-to-day operations of the business, which started in 1923. “Even without Sports Authority our biggest competitor is still online sales. … Regardless of age, it’s hard to find someone who hasn’t shopped online. It’s just a societal change across the board.”
Some local retailers, like McCully Bicycle & Sporting Goods and Eki Cyclery, which opened in 1911, have found a way to remain in business in a time where an image on a screen and a few clicks of a mouse are all some customers want to deal with when making a purchase.
“The best way to combat that is to sell things at the best price possible and provide good customer service,” Takayesu said. “Something might look great online, but then you get it and it doesn’t look or feel like what you expected. For certain products, you definitely want to be able to try it on or pick it up and hold it before you spend your hard-earned money.”
ISLE RETAILERS
Want to support the local economy — and get your gear immediately instead of waiting for it to be shipped to Hawaii? The following list of sporting goods retailers includes companies that have been part of the community for decades, including the Running Room (40 years), Island Triathlon and Bike (32 years) and Total Fitness USA (30 years). While not all-inclusive, this list provides alternative buying options for families who might have previously visited Sports Authority to try on soccer cleats or pick up the next-size golf club.
APB Skateshop
185 N. King St.
585-8538
downwithapb.com
Good for: Skateboards, skate shoes
Brian’s Fishing Supply
1236 S. King St.
596-8344
Good for: Fishing equipment
C4 Waterman
515 Ward Ave.
739-2837
c4waterman.com
Good for: Stand-up paddleboards and gear
Eki Cyclery
1603 Dillingham Blvd.
847-2005
ekicyclery.com
Good for: Bicycles, bike parts
Express Sports
1027 Kikowaena Place
833-9029
Good for: Baseball, football and softball equipment and team uniforms
Go Bananas Watersports
799 Kapahulu Ave.
737-9514
gobananaskayaks.com
Good for: Camelback water packs, camping gear, Chaco sandals, roof racks, Vibram five-finger shoes, and kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding supplies
Fighter’s Corner
405 N. King St.
599-4448
fighterscorner.net
Good for: Jiujitsu, kickboxing and boxing equipment and MMA apparel
The Island Archer
1150 N. Nimitz Highway
833-8731
theislandarcher.com
Good for: Archery supplies
Island Triathlon & Bike
569 Kapahulu Ave.
732-7227
itbhawaii.com
Good for: Bicycles; biking apparel, helmets and parts; bike boxing and shipping; bike repairs; car racks; footwear
McCully Bicycle & Sporting Goods
2124 S. King St.
955-6329
mccully-bike.myshopify.com
Good for: Baseball, bicycle, fishing, softball, tennis and racquetball equipment; GoPro cameras; athletic footwear
Running Room
819 Kapahulu Ave.
737-2422
hawaiirunningroom.com
Good for: Footwear, GPS devices, nutritional supplements, pedometers, running apparel, speed/distance monitors, sunglasses
SportStan
94-547 Ukee St., Suite 303
676-7826
facebook.com/SportStan-241104738029
Good for: Baseball and softball gear
Soccer Locker & Sports
813 Kapahulu Ave.
732-5717
soccerlocker-hawaii.com
Good for: Soccer equipment and team uniforms
Sports Gear Warehouse
45-285 Kaneohe Bay Drive
234-7463
sportsgearwarehouse.com
Good for: Baseball, basketball, boxing, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis and wrestling equipment
Total Fitness USA
2312 Kamehameha Highway
841-9525
tfusa.net
Good for: Home exercise equipment, CrossFit racks, Olympic lifting racks, free weights, rubber flooring, gloves and supports
Up & Riding
4211 Waialae Ave.
447-9987
Good for: Kids’ apparel, protective gear, skateboards and swimwear
Waipahu Racquet Shop
1831 S. King St.
941-4911
Good for: Footwear and supplies for badminton, darts, pingpong, racquetball, squash and tennis
West Marine
420 N. Nimitz Highway
526-4420
westmarine.com
Good for: Fishing, snorkeling, stand-up paddling and kayaking gear; water safety equipment, apparel, water skis and water inflatables
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