Simi's oldest sporting goods store reaching its finish line
Lewis' closing up shop after 35 years
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers SIMI'S SPORTS SPOT- Steve Lewis, owner of Lewis Sporting Goods, stands behind the counter of the store his father, Charles, founded in 1971. Lewis, who has worked in the store since he was 13, expects the store to close for good before the end of December.

Steve Lewis doesn't know what he's going to do now that everything's changed.

Lewis Sporting Goods, the longest running sports store in Simi Valley, will close its doors on 4419 Cochran St. in the next few months, probably before the end of December. Since he was 13 years old, Lewis has worked in the store his father founded in 1971.

"It's the end of an era," Lewis said from behind the wood-panel counter, with three small American flags hanging from the wall. "Now I'll have to get a real job."

Lewis can't keep the store open since the Boy Scouts of America, one of the store's two largest accounts, didn't renew its contract after more than 30 years of business. According to Lewis, the Boy Scouts closed its account because the organization is starting to sell its merchandise online.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers SHOP DOG- Bart, a 2½-year old mix, finds a comfortable resting spot in Lewis Sporting Goods. Bart is a popular fixture in the store, inviting adults and children alike to rub his stomach.

"We were swallowed up by the corporate giants," Lewis said. "That's the reality. That's too bad. Losing the business hurts. It's been very good up until the end. I was up the other night till 3 a.m. just staring at the ceiling. . . . It's funny because I'm enjoying life right now."

Lewis, 46, got married Aug. 19 and has inherited four stepchildren. He closed the shop early on Friday to attend his step-daughter's soccer game, and he said he's enjoying helping the children with their homework.

For 26 years, Lewis Sporting Goods was located across the street at 4324 Cochran St. before moving to its current location. The store specializes in relacing old baseball gloves and also does custom screen printing. The store sells Scout supplies and uniforms for local youth teams.

Lewis, who was born in Salem, Mass., remembers asking his father for an allowance so he could go with his friends to Magic Mountain. Charles Lewis put his son to work, making him vacuum the floor, wash the windows and lace gloves at the family business.

"Now I can lace gloves in my sleep," Lewis said.

Customers and friends are distressed to see Lewis Sporting Goods close.

"It's just a shame he's getting pushed out of business after all these years," said Brian Lussky, who grew up on the same street with Lewis. "Little mom and pop stores are getting squeezed out by the WalMarts and bigger corporations. It seems to be the wave of the future."

Lewis has lived in Simi Valley since he was 2, but he practically grew up in the store. He recalled working side-by-side with his father . . . and that phone call from the police a few years ago.

"My dad got a call at 1 p.m. from the police," Lewis said. "They said, 'There's a car parked in the store.' My dad then said, 'There's a car parked in the store?' 'Yes, sir.' It wasn't on purpose. A couple of 16yearold kids had run out of gas. The girl was steering the car, and the boy was in the back trying to keep the car from getting away. You could see his tennis-shoe marks on the pavement from him trying to stop the car with his feet."

The longtime Simi Valley resident most fondly remembers the expression of children trying on Scout uniforms for the first time.

"I love the reaction of younger kids," he said.

Not only does Lewis have to adjust, but so does Bart, the shaggy shop dog. A 2½-year-old flatcoated retriever and Newfoundland mix, Bart has become part of the shop's lore.

"Everybody loves Bart," Lewis said. "I'll walk him down Los Angeles Avenue, and people from cars yell, 'Hey, Bart!' They don't know my name, but they know my dog."

Even through the change, Lewis is staying as upbeat as he possibly can.

"It's funny, I've never been happier in my personal life," Lewis said.

"I'm not happy I'm losing the store, but my life has to go on."