City Sports closes 3 Philly-area stores

Athletic apparel retailer City Sports is set to liquidate its assets and close all 26 store locations nationwide - including three stores in the Philadelphia area.

The closures come after the Boston-based company failed to buy a new owner after filing for bankruptcy in October.

Instead, the company was purchased by Hilco Global and Gordon Brothers Retail Partners - both known for buying distressed properties and selling off their assets - at an auction earlier this week. The purchase price was not disclosed.

The three City Sports closing in the area are at 1608 Walnut Street in Center City, 6 East Montgomery Avenue in Ardmore, and 309 East Lancaster Avenue in Wayne.

"All City Sports stores will be closing around Dec. 30, including the three in our area," said sales associate Anna Arita at the Center City store.

The company has struggled for some time amid increasing competition in the sportings goods apparel market. There is also a growing distinct set of athletes, including those who enjoy the outdoors that shop at REI or Bass Pro Shops, further fragmenting the market.

City Sports more formidable competitors are Dick's Sporting Goods and Modell's.

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