In an era when large national retailers are shuttering stores and sales on the Internet are booming, Sonoma Valley will see the opening of a Big 5 Sporting Goods store in Fiesta Plaza in Boyes Hot Springs.
The national retailer has 424 locations (as of February, 2024) located in eleven western states. The public company’s largest shareholder is BlackRock, with 6.3% of shares, followed by The Vanguard Group with 4.9% and Dimensional Fund Advisors LP with 4.2%. Big 5’s net sales were $1.04 billion in 2020.
Occupying the space previously held by Sonoma Cinemas, renovation is currently taking place. An opening date has not been specified, but based upon the shift of uses, it will not be soon.
The area has not had a sports retailer for some time, and never one as large as Big 5. Typically, Big 5 offers a mix of athletic shoes, apparel and accessories, as well as a broad selection of outdoor and athletic equipment for team sports, fitness, camping, hunting, fishing, tennis, golf, winter and summer recreation and roller sports.
The history of the company began in 1955 under the name United Merchandising Corp.; the name was changed in 1963. Thrifty Drugs acquired the company in 1971, but in 1992 a management led buyout changed ownership. In 1997 the company ownership passed to its employees, and it went public in 2002.
The share price of Big 5 currently sits at just over $3 per share, well below its 52-week high of nearly $10.
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