Active Ride Shop, the skate chain based in Ontario, CA, announced that Bedford Ventures Inc. has acquired its assets from GemCap Lending following an auction process. The new owners plan to re-open three stores this spring.
All Active retail locations closed prior to Bedford’s acquisition of the company. The auction of Active’s intellectual property, inventory and other assets was held on January 22. The auction came after GemCap, its lender, seized the company’s assets. The chain had operated 26 stores last year although many closed toward the end of the year.
The e-commerce business is currently under reconstruction and is set to relaunch in mid-March. Active gift cards will be valid at these stores and will also be valid online once Active’s e-commerce returns.
“Active Ride Shop would like to thank our loyal customers and the countless vendors who have helped support the brand since 1989,” said Keith Beckley, VP of retail operations. “Like our entire community, we were deeply saddened by the sudden closures of our retail stores. It will take some time for us to get our footing under new ownership, but we are working to relaunch a handful of stores in the next few months, while looking to improve upon the in-store experience through presentation and product. We appreciate everyone’s patience in the process, and trust that brighter days are ahead for Active.”
Beginning on March 5, Active Ride Shop will hold an expansive warehouse sale at 2030 S. Carlos Ave, Ontario, CA 91761. Products will range from jackets, sweatshirts, graphic tees, denim, pants, footwear, skate/snow hardgoods, and accessories, with discounts up to 85 percent off the original price. The warehouse sale is open to the public and no reservation is required. Gift cards are not applicable at the warehouse sale.
“We encourage everyone to come out to this blowout sale, whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to the Active Family,” said Andrea Ludwig, director of supply & inventory. “Even in this blowout sale, our commitment to the highest quality skate footwear, apparel, and hardgoods is at the forefront of what we do. A range of items will be available at some of the best value we’ve ever offered.”
John Wallace and his son, Shane, opened the first Active Ride Shop in Chino in 1989 and had grown its footprint to 29 stores by 2009, which the retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The chain has subsequently seen a few different owners before being acquired by APS Global in 2018.
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The Active Ride Shop website has the following message:
Opening Soon
To Our Active Family:
We are deeply sorry for everything that has abruptly unfolded over the last 2 months.
Since 1989, we have been committed to serving the skate community at the highest standard of quality through our products and services. With the rise of e-commerce, it has become increasingly challenging to maintain that quality standard in our retail locations.
We hear you. Trust us – we are devastated to have closed the doors to skate shops that were part of being in a unique community. From the bottom of our hearts, we are sorry for taking that away from you.
We want to make this message clear: ACTIVE IS NOT DEAD.
As of January 2020, Active is under new ownership and management. We are reconstructing the website and will soon reopen its full-scale e-commerce business with nationwide shipping. There will be new Active Ride Shop locations that will open in Southern California. Your gift cards will be redeemable at those locations.
Active will be holding a mega warehouse sale on March 5, at 2030 S. Carlos Ave, Ontario, CA 91761. You’ll find a ton of the items you have loved and used over the years at a significant discount. (We’ll give you more specifics later.) The sale is free and open to the public. Take home some of the best values you’ve seen from us… or simply drop in to say hello.
Thank you for supporting our business all these years. Thank you for your patience. And most importantly, thank you for believing in the Active Family.
To a strong future ahead, together.
– Active Ride Shop
