End of an era...

I have worked the closing sale at our O’Neil Court location for the past week. It has been an emotional one for me, my co-workers and many of our faithful customers at our Northeast location. Closing this location feels like a death in the family I’ve been a part of since 1984. I’m realizing that retail establishments have a circle of life like so many other things do and that change is inevitable.

Many faithful customers have expressed their sadness and disappointment that we are closing this location. They have shared that O’Neil Court is the only place they shop for quality sporting goods and apparel. Many would not dream of letting anyone besides Chris Dixon string their tennis rackets and have pledged their allegiance to follow him and us to our downtown location on Huger Street. This is encouraging and assures me we will be missed in the Northeast.

It is indeed the end of an era for the presence of a true sporting goods store in the Northeast area of Columbia. When Todd & Moore moved from our original Northeast location in the Columbia Mall, to 225 O’Neil Court we became the first “big box” presence for sporting goods in the Midlands. But with a huge difference then and now…superior customer service and product knowledge. That will not change.

It is our hope that this distinction will continue to set us apart from other retail outlets. Our focus and priority is to continue to have our downtown location on Huger Street be the BEST shopping destination for sporting goods in the Midlands. We are not giving up the fight to be a successful, independent small business in a sea of big box retailers.

All of Todd & Moore’s employees work, live, and play in the Columbia area. We all have a vested interest in the community and want to see our LOCAL economy thrive. Our company profits stay local and re-cirulate in our community. They do not go out of state to a corporate headquarters.

The headquarters for Todd & Moore Sporting Goods is 620 Huger Street. It’s a pretty special place to work and shop. I get to work with co-workers and customers that I consider to be like family doing something I enjoy. Not everyone can say that.

Beth
Sales Associate & Buyer