Sport Chalet to close all stores, stops online sales

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE (KABC) -- Sport Chalet announced Saturday that it will be closing all of its stores and has stopped selling items online.

On its website, the company said its stores will remain open until at least April 29. Customers may still use rewards and gift cards until the closing date or transfer balances to gift cards at the company's sister locations, Eastern Mountain Sports or Bob's Stores.

The sports store was founded in 1959 and opened its first store in La Canada Flintridge, where its headquarters remained for nearly 70 years.

It later grew to more than 50 stores in California and three other states. That includes more than 30 stores in Southern California: 13 in Los Angeles County, seven in Orange County, four in San Diego County and three in Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties.

But about two years ago, the company was about $50 million in debt when it was sold to a retail group.

Long-time shoppers at the original La Canada Flintridge store were disappointed to hear of the closing, and flocked to the store in search of bargains.

"It's really sad," one shopper said. "My son worked here through college, part-time. It's like losing a close personal friend."

City News Service contributed to this report.