OSHKOSH, Wisconsin (WFRV) – The owners of a legendary sporting goods store in Oshkosh are retiring after more than 60 years in business.
The Hergert family told Local Five News that they have sold the Hergert Sports Center to a Minnesota-based company and the last day in their possession will be March 1st.
“Part of that is relief, people ask me what I’m going to do and I say I have to agree on that when we’re fully shut down,” said Bob Hergert.
The family business started as a dairy business in the 1950s. When that didn’t work, the family turned to sporting goods, combining their love of boating, hunting, and fishing into an outdoor sporting goods store.
Over the years they have expanded their inventory to include everything from skiing and snowboarding to basketball and baseball gear to firearms and of course boats.
The Hergerts said they sold the building to the Minnesota-based company because they planned to keep the business as an outdoor sports store, albeit with modified inventory.
“Keep going the way we’re running it and take care of the customer instead of tearing it down and building condos or a park,” said Ralph Hergert. “We have three generations of customers who are used to coming here and there is nothing else like it.”
The Hergerts said they are incredibly grateful for all of their customers and employees over the years. Bob wanted to highlight Mark Spanbauer and Ron Hergert as two longtime employees who made a particularly significant impression.
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Customers Local Five News spoke to said they weren’t surprised the Hergerts are retiring given how long they’ve owned the company. However, they are saddened by the announcement that this is their go-to place for sporting goods. They praised the Hergerts for their honesty and kindness.
“All I can say is thank you, it was a wonderful run,” said Bob Hergert. “I only wish I could be younger and continue to meet and see all the people we’ve served.”
Everything in the store is sold out until March 1st, when the Hergerts will officially retire.
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