- published: 09 Jan 2015
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Herman's World Of Sporting Goods was a sporting goods retailer in the United States. It was founded by Herman Steinlauf in 1916 as a music store. At one time, there was a gentleman's agreement with west coast competitor Oshman's Sporting Goods, that the Herman's chain would stay east of the Mississippi, while Oshman's would be dominant on the west coast. Later on, Herman's did expand west with the acquisition of Boise, Idaho-based Sunset Sports Centers, although this was short lived. The company entered bankruptcy in 1993, first closing the stores out of the New York area, then the New York stores. Herman's could not compete with the warehouse size stores of Dick's Sporting Goods and Sports Authority, as most locations were in malls or strip malls.
Herman's main executive offices and warehouse were co-located in Carteret, New Jersey, at 2 Germak Drive. This building is now used by P.C. Richard & Son.
The company was purchased by W. R. Grace and Company in 1970, as part of Grace's retail division, which sold it to the Dee Corporation, of England, in 1986. Later, it was sold to a Dutch firm.