Some stores feel like they’re built into the very foundation of a town — always there, always open, and always part of the story. That’s how locals in Hendersonville, North Carolina, felt about Sherman’s Sports.
Table of Contents
A staple for more than a century, the family-owned store weathered wars, economic collapses, and cultural shifts. But even the strongest institutions eventually face the reality of time, and after 103 remarkable years, Sherman’s Sports is officially closing its doors.
Legacy
Sherman’s Sports wasn’t just a store — it was a living piece of community history. Opened in 1922 by Louis Sherman, it began as a general store carrying everything from sporting goods and jewelry to army surplus. Over the years, it transformed, but it never lost its place in the heart of Hendersonville.
Located at 126 North Main Street, the shop remained a gathering place for generations. Locals remember buying their first BB guns, Lionel trains, or hiking boots there. Tourists browsing for souvenirs stumbled into a piece of Americana — a real-deal, family-owned Main Street store that felt untouched by time.
Evolution
Sherman’s journey across the decades is a lesson in quiet resilience. The business stayed in the family, with each generation adding their own touch. After Louis, his son Kalman Sherman took over following his service in the Marines. Later, the reins passed to Becky Sherman and her husband Rex Banadyga.
The store’s inventory evolved with the times. At various points, Sherman’s sold army gear, swimwear, outdoor clothing, boots, and even souvenir t-shirts. It became Sherman’s Sports & Army — a nod to its diverse offerings. But it never lost the feeling of a store that you could trust for the essentials — and for a personal chat while you shopped.
Retirement
In 2022, Sherman’s celebrated its 100th anniversary. Just three years later, the store announced a going-out-of-business sale, marking the end of an era. The reason? Retirement. Becky Sherman Banadyga said she was simply ready to hang up her boots, and none of her daughters were interested in taking over.
It’s a familiar story among legacy family businesses. As generations change and retail becomes increasingly digital, many small, historic stores find themselves without a clear successor. And without a website or social media presence, Sherman’s existed largely by word of mouth — something rare in the age of online shopping.
Nostalgia
The news sparked an outpouring of love from the community. Customers shared memories of shopping there as kids, finding the perfect Christmas gift, or buying their first pair of work boots. One longtime customer, Linda M. Bridges, recalled buying guitars, hats, and T-shirts, calling it a “dependable store on that end of my hometown.”
Others wished someone would step up and buy the store, simply to keep the doors open. But sometimes, a graceful ending is the most dignified one — and after 103 years, the Sherman family has certainly earned it.
Rarity
Stores like Sherman’s Sports are unicorns in today’s retail landscape. While big names like Macy’s, JCPenney, and CVS have managed to survive for over 100 years, most businesses don’t make it that long. According to research by Innosight, the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company has dropped dramatically — from 61 years in 1958 to just 18 years by 2012.
Sherman’s wasn’t a big-box retailer. It wasn’t part of a chain. Yet it lasted longer than many well-funded companies. Stanford Professor Charles O’Reilly attributes this kind of longevity to “organizational ambidexterity” — the ability to operate today while staying flexible enough for tomorrow. Sherman’s may not have had a five-year plan or a corporate strategy, but it had community roots — and that counted for a lot.
Closures
The closure of Sherman’s joins a growing list of sporting goods and retail stores that have disappeared in recent years. Since Sports Authority’s collapse in 2016, several well-known names have followed:
| Retailer | Founded | Closure Info |
|---|---|---|
| Modell’s Sporting Goods | 1889 | Closed all stores in 2020 after bankruptcy |
| Sport Chalet | 1959 | Filed bankruptcy in 2016, all 47 stores closed |
| Golfsmith | 1967 | Closed 2/3 stores after 2016 bankruptcy |
| MC Sports | 1946 | Liquidated in 2017 |
| Bob’s Stores | 1954 | Closed all locations by July 2024 |
| Eastern Mountain Sports | 1967 | Filed bankruptcy in 2024, several stores closed |
What sets Sherman’s apart is that it didn’t collapse from debt or digital disruption. It didn’t go bankrupt. It simply completed its story.
As storefronts continue to shutter, the retail landscape feels a little less personal. Sherman’s Sports reminds us that not all business success is measured in stock prices or expansion — sometimes, it’s measured in memories, handshakes, and hometown pride.
Here’s to 103 years of service, stories, and tradition. Goodbye, Sherman’s Sports — and thank you.
FAQs
Why is Sherman’s Sports closing?
The owners are retiring and no family members want to take over.
How long was Sherman’s Sports in business?
It operated for 103 years, from 1922 to 2025.
Did Sherman’s Sports have a website?
No, the store did not have a website or social media presence.
What did Sherman’s Sports sell?
They sold army surplus, clothing, sporting goods, and souvenirs.
Where was Sherman’s Sports located?
At 126 North Main Street, Hendersonville, North Carolina.
