Biz Beat: Modesto's Valley Sporting Goods closes

Valley Sporting Goods has closed after more than 65 years.

The store management posted a note on its Facebook page reading: "To all customers and friends of Valley Sporting Goods: After over 65 years of service to the Central Valley, Modesto CA, VSG has closed its doors as of December 31 2011 for the last time.

"We want to thank all our customers and friends that have helped Valley Sporting Goods stay alive for so long. It was not an easy decision to close, but a necessary one nonetheless. Thank you Modesto."

The store, which opened in downtown Modesto in 1946, has been synonymous with area sporting goods and high school athletics over the years.

It spent its first 47 years in its original location at 15th and I streets, and then moved to a large back anchor spot in McHenry Village in 1993.

In October, it moved from McHenry Village to a new, smaller space at the Crossroads Shopping Center at Carpenter Road and Kansas Avenue.

In August of last year, the current owners, Darren Daily and his wife, Crystal, filed for bankruptcy protection in an effort to downsize and keep the store afloat.

In August of 2007, the couple paid more than $1.5 million for the store, when the Central Valley economy was still going strong. The store posted good earnings its first year under their ownership, then sank by half. The Dailys were the fifth owners, dating back to founders Trevor Griffith and Joseph Gere.

The store's Facebook page says all existing letterman jacket orders will be fulfilled through Top Stitches in Modesto.

The store is also now bank-owned, so it is unclear whether a clearance sale will held to clear the rest of the remaining inventory.

Elsewhere around the Business Beat:

The job fair for the new Rancho San Miguel Market coming to the former Raley's site on Hatch Road in Ceres will be Feb. 10-11.

Previous dates were incorrect. Applicants are invited to bring their résumés from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, to the Ceres Community Center, 2701 Fourth St. The market serves the Latino community and is part of the Food 4 Less chain. For more, call (209) 957-2555, ext. 173. ...

And finally, downtown Modesto barbecue spot Smok'n Smak'n Mac's has closed. It opened in May. The spot at the corner of H and 14th streets has seen eateries come and go over the years, including Bagel Junction and H Street Cafe. No word on what its next incarnation will be.

Have an item for Business Beat? Contact Marijke Rowland at The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352; (209) 578-2284; or mrowland@modbee.com.