Jagmania Going Out Of Business

[coredumped]

From http://www.news4jax.com/news/20360913/detail.html

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- For years, Jagmania has sold the hats, flags and T-shirts of the Jaguars and other popular sports teams.

Some people call it the best place to get the newest Jaguars jersey.

Now, this sports merchandise store that's almost as old as the Jaguars is getting ready to close its doors for good.

Owners said they've been hit hard by a bad economy and a struggling football team.

"I think this is the place," Evelyn Blount said.

Blount said when she needs something sports-related, she heads to the family-owned business filled with hats, jerseys and other sports merchandise.

"We put a lot of effort into it," said Carol Kanaszka, who owns Jagmania with her husband, Dave. "We put a lot of love and, of course, all of our monies into it."

But Tuesday, the two that own the four stores around North Florida are throwing in the towel.

"The perfect storm hit," Dave said. "It was a bad economy, bad Jaguar year and bad feelings all around, and everybody just quit shopping."

Dave said the stores focus on the Jaguars, and when that team struggles on the field, Jagmania struggles in sales.

After 12 years of business, the Kanaszkas said they're losing money on the stores every day they stay open. Now, everything in the four shops has to go.

"We have two pages of discounts," Dave said. "Everything is on sale."

The owners said Jagmania bought more Jaguars merchandise than anyone else in the country. Once they shut their doors for good, they said, customers will have a lot less to choose from with the biggest Jaguars store gone.

"We wish them well in finding their Jaguars stuff somewhere else," Dave said. "Good luck."

Blount said she's sad to see a staple go, but will definitely come back to take part in the liquidation sales.

"I'm just sorry that they have to close," Blount said.

The owners said they have $3- to $4 million worth of merchandise to sell at deep discounts before they close all the stores.

They expect that to take a few months.

When Jagmania goes out of business, more than 20 people will be without jobs.

[Sportmotor]

I really hated there commicals but sad to see a local store go like that.

[coredumped]

their commercials were cheesy and their prices were high (Bealls & KMart have good jag prices). However, for selection, it was jagmania hands down. You can find anything jag there!

Sad to see them go.

[Omarvelous09]

It's true...the commercials were awful, but did the trick. It is sad to see the store close...where's the team spirit people?!!

[johnsantangelo]

sh*tty ecommerce site couldn't compete either.

[A-Finnius]

That sucks.. I hope the team isn't the next thing to go...

[Ernest Street]

Was the girl in the commercials Carol? This reminds me of 1995-96ish when I stumbled upon some vintage "Teal tongue" merchandise in a 5 and 10 in Orangeburg SC...I told my fellow group of travelers from Jax and they hopefully have saved some of that stuff...Remember the Teal tongue?

[Steve]

While it is sad to see them go, they are not the only Jacksonville-Based company in the same space.

And the other one has much more of a national presence in the eCommerce world.

[coredumped]

She has a youtube page:
http://www.youtube.com/user/jagmaniagirl

http://www.youtube.com/v/U_EDzjc6p24&hl

[JeffreyS]

Hope their next venture is an even better one. Good luck to all of you small businesses out there.

[Shwaz]

Why not wait for the season to begin before throwing in the towel? I can understand if they’ve run out of operating capitol but the article doesn't say that. I went to one of their stores Saturday for some new Jags apparel before the scrimmage and the place was busy. I would imagine things are slow in the offseason but would have to pick up during the season. Either way I'm sorry to see them go.

Maybe this means more sales at the stadium where money spent goes directly to the team. Any merch bought outside of the stadium/ team website is amortized amongst the league.

[copperfiend]

Football Fanatics has better locations, cleaner stores, better prices and friendlier staff. Jagmania was always more expensive for everything. And it seems like they made poor decisions in deciding where to open their stores. I hate to see any local business close it's doors but I cannot say I am surprised.

[Wacca Pilatka]

I'm very sad about this news.  I wish I had discovered Jagmania sooner but that's the nature of living 600 miles away.  It was a treasure trove for Jaguars collectibles in particular and the sheer volume and variety of merchandise is staggering.  Given that I barely find any Jaguar merchandise here, it was a delight to walk into the sea of teal products that that store had to offer.  If there was anything they didn't have in stock they always cheerfully and quickly special ordered it for me.  I had great experiences with their staff.  I'll miss it immensely.

Football Fanatics' website was more current and comprehensive and faster, which probably contributed to Jagmania's downfall.  But as far as finding collectibles, unique items, and memorabilia from the Jaguars' earlier seasons, no place could touch Jagmania.

[stjr]

Unfortunately, they made at least two fatal business mistakes by (a) tying their fortunes to someone else's business which they have no control over (i.e. the Jaguars) and (b) not having a diverse revenue stream by selling something other than Jag's stuff (which is why Football Fanatics may not have similar issues).

[coredumped]

stjr they sold many other sports related items. Lots of Georga, FSU & Gator stuff, not to mention NASCAR:

http://www.youtube.com/v/vv3YxjKTs-U&hl=en&fs=1&