I just stopped into the Ski Market on US1 in Norwalk and found out they are about to close down the store for good. The employees told me they just found out about it themselves. They've been there since the '70's but as of this coming Sunday will be there no more.
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Norwalk Ski Market Closing This Sunday
- Thread starter crank
- Start date
Prob not. They closed a bunch of stores already and just moved the inventory over to the remaining shops.
Not really. They had a few Burton jackets and pants at 40% off but they didn't have anything but kids skis out and I didn't notice any boots either. It was pretty sad scene because the guys working there were pretty much still in shock.
drjeff
Well-known member
frozencorn
Active member
That sucks, but to be honest I had to stop going to Ski Maket about five years ago after my 10th straight bout with awful customer service.
severine
New member
Depends on the store. Avon/Simsbury is pretty good and Dave Newman, their boot guy, does a phenomenal job.
Sky
Active member
+1...except I stopped going 8 years ago.
I always wanted to take one of their bus trips though.
dl
New member
if you've been in any ski market stores prior to T'giving (i went into several, including St Moritz in Wellesley, MA which is owned by Ski Market), you might have noticed that there was no product from this year's collection - from any mfg. The stores were pretty sad looking. If you don't see new product it means one of two things - 1) they didn't order any (highly unlikely) or 2) they aren't being shipped. Why wouldn't they be shipped product - $. I've talked to some reps I know and they've confirmed that Ski Market has been on hold. I've heard rumors the entire chain was going to close and I've heard there are buyers looking at the biz. In the meantime, stores like Norwalk and Manchester are closing. There are probably several more that have closed or are likely too soon. That said, I've recently heard that they got some money, maybe from the boston ski show sale or from a cash infusion or new line of credit, that they've put toward new product so if you walk into a (remaining) store today you might find some new stuff.
Bottom line, like them or not, Ski Market is representative of a problem that is happening throughout the country - independent ski shops/specialty shops are having a tough go of it and things are getting any easier. Let's pray that we don't have a crappy winter here in the NE as that could be the kiss of death for a lot of shops we know and love.
Bottom line, like them or not, Ski Market is representative of a problem that is happening throughout the country - independent ski shops/specialty shops are having a tough go of it and things are getting any easier. Let's pray that we don't have a crappy winter here in the NE as that could be the kiss of death for a lot of shops we know and love.
drjeff
Well-known member
+1 If you like having a local shop (who cares if it's a chain like ski market or a small independent place) with an actual person you can talk to and get service from, support them!
Many times, they'll have deals that rival those of the online retailers, and you'll help keep the option of a local shop available to you!
snowmonster
New member
SkiMarket seems to get a bad rap but I've been pretty happy with them. They're my local store (I work near their Boston store) and I've bought some great gear from them at prices lower than internet rates. I'm pretty much a gearhead and spend months tracking prices online so I kind of know a bargain when I see it. They do have sales -- usually at the same time other retailers have them. This summer they actually did a tax free holiday sale when MA did not have one this year.
Service can be uneven (but isn't that true of any store?) but, if you go to the right person, you'll be fine. I brought some skis in recently for mounting. Since I bought the bindings from SkiMarket, there was a discounted price on the mount (which I was willing to pay). Anyway, when they found out that I came in for other stuff, they told me that they'll take care of me and comped me the mount. Mount was pretty good too.
I was in the Boston store a week before the ski show. No new equipment yet but they said that they expect the new stuff to come in after the ski show. Tough times in the industry. The Wilderness House down the street was just sold and the new owners were still in the process of stocking up a month ago. I hope that they get everything all ready for the season.
It's sad when ski shops close. It only means that you'll have to travel farther to get service -- or banter about skiing during the summer months.
Service can be uneven (but isn't that true of any store?) but, if you go to the right person, you'll be fine. I brought some skis in recently for mounting. Since I bought the bindings from SkiMarket, there was a discounted price on the mount (which I was willing to pay). Anyway, when they found out that I came in for other stuff, they told me that they'll take care of me and comped me the mount. Mount was pretty good too.
I was in the Boston store a week before the ski show. No new equipment yet but they said that they expect the new stuff to come in after the ski show. Tough times in the industry. The Wilderness House down the street was just sold and the new owners were still in the process of stocking up a month ago. I hope that they get everything all ready for the season.
It's sad when ski shops close. It only means that you'll have to travel farther to get service -- or banter about skiing during the summer months.
My local shop closed a few months ago. Now there's really nothing near me at all. My wife and I were just talking the other day and we think we'll probably end up shopping in VT when it comes time to get new boots or skis.
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