Herman's World of Sporting Goods
Encyclopedia
Herman's World Of Sporting Goods was a sporting goods retailer in the United States
. It was founded by Herman Steinlauf in 1916 as a music store. At one time, there was a gentleman's agreement with west coast competitor Oshman's Sporting Goods
, that the Herman's chain would stay east of the Mississippi, while Oshman's would be dominant on the west coast. Later on, Herman's did expand west with the acquisition of Boise, Idaho
-based Sunset Sports Centers, although this was short lived. The company entered bankruptcy in 1993, first closing the stores out of the New York area, then the New York stores. Herman's could not compete with the warehouse size stores of Dick's Sporting Goods
and Sports Authority
, as most locations were in malls or strip malls.
Herman's main executive offices and warehouse were co-located in Carteret, New Jersey
, at 2 Germak Drive. This building is now used by P.C. Richard & Son.
The company was purchased by W. R. Grace and Company
in 1970, as part of Grace's retail division, which sold it to the Dee Corporation, of England, in 1986. Later, it was sold to a Dutch firm.
Some of the slogans the company used included "Herman's.. We Are Sports."
one of the most popular locations was located in Valley Stream LI, serving the boroughs of Queens and Nassau county.
Herman's was one of Manhattan's—and later most of the U.S.-- most visible retail stores. While Herman's was a large sporting goods retailer, about half of the floor space of any store was soft goods, including ski jackets, and other apparel. Herman's had their own label, made by other vendors.
On several occasions, Herman's sponsored a Free Ski Day in New York's Central Park
, providing cross country skis and poles for free, where people could ski on the great lawn or go downhill on an artificial hill.
Alumni Website: Website for former employees www.hermansalumni.com
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was founded by Herman Steinlauf in 1916 as a music store. At one time, there was a gentleman's agreement with west coast competitor Oshman's Sporting Goods
Oshman's Sporting Goods
Oshman's Sporting Goods Inc. was a sporting goods retailer in the United States. Its headquarters was in East End, Houston, Texas. It operated traditional sporting goods stores and Oshman's Supersports USA megastores.-History:...
, that the Herman's chain would stay east of the Mississippi, while Oshman's would be dominant on the west coast. Later on, Herman's did expand west with the acquisition of Boise, Idaho
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
-based Sunset Sports Centers, although this was short lived. The company entered bankruptcy in 1993, first closing the stores out of the New York area, then the New York stores. Herman's could not compete with the warehouse size stores of Dick's Sporting Goods
Dick's Sporting Goods
Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. , or Dick's, is a Fortune 500 American corporation in the sporting goods and retail industries.The company's headquarters are on the grounds of Pittsburgh International Airport in Findlay Township near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dick's has 451 stores in 42 states as of...
and Sports Authority
Sports Authority
The Sports Authority, Inc. is one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the United States. It is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, and operates more than 460 stores in 45 U.S...
, as most locations were in malls or strip malls.
Herman's main executive offices and warehouse were co-located in Carteret, New Jersey
Carteret, New Jersey
Carteret is a borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 22,844.Carteret was created as the borough of Roosevelt on 11 April 1906, incorporating Woodbridge Township, and was a result of a referendum on 22 May 1906...
, at 2 Germak Drive. This building is now used by P.C. Richard & Son.
The company was purchased by W. R. Grace and Company
W. R. Grace and Company
W. R. Grace and Company is a Columbia, Maryland, United States based chemical conglomerate.The company has two main divisions, Davison Chemicals and Performance Chemicals. The Davison unit makes chemical catalysts, refining catalysts, and silica-based products that let other companies make...
in 1970, as part of Grace's retail division, which sold it to the Dee Corporation, of England, in 1986. Later, it was sold to a Dutch firm.
Some of the slogans the company used included "Herman's.. We Are Sports."
one of the most popular locations was located in Valley Stream LI, serving the boroughs of Queens and Nassau county.
Herman's was one of Manhattan's—and later most of the U.S.-- most visible retail stores. While Herman's was a large sporting goods retailer, about half of the floor space of any store was soft goods, including ski jackets, and other apparel. Herman's had their own label, made by other vendors.
On several occasions, Herman's sponsored a Free Ski Day in New York's Central Park
Central Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
, providing cross country skis and poles for free, where people could ski on the great lawn or go downhill on an artificial hill.
Alumni Website: Website for former employees www.hermansalumni.com