Venerable sporting goods dealer The Sportsman downsizing store

After almost 70 years of business at the same location, The Sportsman at 401 Vine St. will downsize to a smaller store.

Steve Humphreys, president since 1971 of the business started by native Nevadans Chet and Link Piazzo, says the longtime dealer of athletic gear and similar sporting goods cannot compete with either the Internet or a host of big-box retailers in the area.

"The sporting goods end of it the Internet has destroyed. The Internet doesn't pay taxes, and it doesn't pay freight. Modern technology is awesome, but it has just destroyed the small businessman," he says.

Humphreys says the addition of a second Big 5 Sporting Goods location in Sparks, a second location in the Meadowood Mall of Sports Authority, the opening of Sportsman's Warehouse, and incoming giants Scheels, Cabella's and Bass Pros Shops signaled the death knell for The Sportsman.

Construction of the train trench and recent closures for sewer work on Keystone Avenue also hurt.

"The trench over here just destroyed me," Humphreys says. "Keystone was closed for three years. We got three or four years with the train trench, and three or four weeks with the sewer work on Keystone, and people just quit coming over here."

The Sportsman sold off its batting cages last month, and Humphreys says the only reason the store remained open the last few years was the loyalty of customers from Little League, Pop Warner and school teams. He will re-open in a smaller location on either East Fourth Street or in Sparks to provide gear to area sports teams and leagues.

"We are not going out of business. We are still doing team business. They have been a great friend to the store, but retail-wise I am done," he says.