By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Goodwin Sporting Goods will open Thursday morning to begin its final sale.
After 66 years in downtown Hays, owner Terry Bright will be liquidating the store’s inventory and closing permanently sometime in February. Customers will have opportunities to win prizes during the liquidation.
Bright said some of his suppliers will no longer allow him access to their full lines. Online companies have also cut into his business. Because he felt he could no longer provide full service to his customers, he decided it was time to shut the store down and retire.
“When it takes my ability to service my customer out of the equation,” Bright said, “I told them I was done. It is just going more and more to larger chains.”
The store first opened as Dee Erickson Sporting Goods on July 1, 1947, at 119 W. 11th in Hays. Duane Goodwin bought the store in 1952.
Bright started working at the store part-time in 1974. He was playing tennis on scholarship at Fort Hays State University at the time.
In 1975, Bright took over the store from Duane Goodwin.
Bright said has had many loyal customers over the years. Since he posted the notice that store would be closing on Facebook over the holidays, he has been inundated with well wishes and calls.
One customer posted on Goodwin’s Facebook page, “I am eternally grateful to Mr. Goodwin, in 1972-74, this store accommodated me in my basketball shoes. I needed a size 9…and size 12. They split a pair, and only charged my folks for one pair!! PERSONAL TOUCH WILL BE MISSED!’
Another customer commented, “Hate to see a local, independent business close its doors. Thank you for your many years of service to the community! We don’t live in Hays, but made a point to shop at Goodwin’s because we believe it’s so important to support the downtown, locally owned businesses. Good luck to you!”
Bright said his customers have valued the customer service the store has been able to offer over the years, and he wished to thank the customers and community for their support.
Although Bright said he will not miss dealing with suppliers or the long days, he said he will miss the people.
Nicale Ney worked for Bright ordering stock for 20 years. Shane Lynch left two years ago, but worked for Bright for many years in his production department. He remembered Robyn Powell, who helped when the store doubled its space from 25 to 50 feet of store front.
The store has marked down its merchandise and will be liquidating its stock as well as its fixtures. Bright will also be selling his screen printing and embroidery equipment. He has had some interest expressed in the equipment and may work with the purchaser as a consultant for a few months for training.
Bright owns the building at 109 W. 11th and plans to sell it as well. He has had several inquiries about the space, but no serious offers. The building is a retail-ready space, and he said he wouldn’t be surprised if another retailer went into the space.
Bright, 64, said he was looking forward to retirement. He plans to enjoy playing more golf.
“When you have a business, it is not uncommon to have 10- to 12-hour days,” he said. “For me to get out of town, that will be a rare occurrence and something that I am looking forward to.”
“It’s a commitment,” Bright said of owning a small business, “if you want to do things right.”