LAX World has vacated its headquarters in Cockeysville, MD. and shuttered all 16 of its locations, according to a report from The Baltimore Sun.
The company had stores open in Maryland, Virginia, New York, Georgia, Colorado and Washington state
The company’s headquarters and warehouse in Cockeysville, Maryland, is empty and locked. An eviction petition on the door from the Baltimore County District Court says LAX World owes more than $11,200. CEO Frank Barbarino and the company are facing numerous lawsuits from landlords and vendors, according to court records, according to the Baltimore Sun. The website appears to be still taking orders.
The company was founded in 1988 as the first store dedicated to lacrosse. In 2013, founder Jim Darcangelo sold the company to two former Jos. A. Bank Clothiers executives, Frank Barbarino and Michael Stewart.
At the time of the purchase, LAX World had 11 stores and the new owners planned to open 40 to 50 stores, both in existing and new markets, in the next five to six years. They also wanted to improve the website to increase online sales and expand the wholesale business, which at the time accounted for about 45 percent of sales and targeted lacrosse programs and
teams. Lax World sold to Johns Hopkins University, Towson University and Loyola University Maryland, among others.
Photo courtesy LAX World
