Sports Chalet West Hills Store to Close as Company Shutters All Stores

LOS ANGELES, CA - Sport Chalet is closing all its stores and shutting down its online sales, the La Canada Flintridge sporting goods company announced today.

The decision affects more than 30 stores in Southern California.

A statement on the company's website said the stores will remain open until at least April 29 to accommodate gift cards and rewards certificates.

The company was founded in 1959 by Norbert J. Olberz, with its first store in La Canada Flintridge, where it remained headquartered for the next several decades.

What began as one specialty sporting goods location expanded into a string of full-service sporting goods stores across the Southland, and eventually expanded to Northern California, Arizona and Nevada as well.

Sports Chalet went public in 1992.

The company operates 13 stores in Los Angeles County, seven stores in Orange County, four in San Diego County, three in Riverside County, three in San Bernardino County and three in Ventura County.

City News Service; photo courtesy of La Cañada Flintridge Town Center