The iconic sporting goods store, serving Silicon Valley for 70 years, will close by the end of the year.
According to The Mercury News, the reason for the closing is that the land beneath the store has been sold to a developer.
“Since the business has maintained profitability, despite less than optimal weather conditions and new competition in the area, the owner explored all options to attempt to keep the business going,” the store said in statement Monday.
Newer competition included a Bass Pro that opened in South San Jose last November. REI, Sportmart and Walmart also provided competition over the years.
The 25,000-square-foot store first opened in 1946 and moved to its current home on West San Carlos Street in 1955. The store was given the National Sporting Goods Association “Retailer of the Year Award” in 1993.
On its website, the retailer wrote: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce that after 70 years Mel Cotton’s Sporting Goods will be closing its doors. It has been an honor and a privilege to provide the residents of the Bay Area with the gear and equipment they have needed to ensure that their outdoor adventures would be successful. We have always prided ourselves in providing people with, not only, the knowledge and expertise towards the products we sell, but also insight into all the different ways people can passionately connect with the outdoors. It is in this spirit that we would like to extend these offers to you. Even though we are closing our doors we still want to promote the love and passion for all the outdoor activities that we all have been able to enjoy over the last 70 years. Our, projected, last day of operation is 12/31/16.”
