Modell’s Sporting Goods

Modell’s Sporting Goods is a well-known American retail brand with roots dating back to 1889, when Morris A. Modell opened the first store in New York City. For generations, Modell’s operated as a family-run business, building a strong reputation in the sporting goods sector and expanding to over 150 stores throughout the Northeast by the late 2010s. The company was a familiar presence in urban and suburban shopping centers, recognized for its support of local sports and its memorable “Gotta Go To Mo’s” slogan.

In 2020, Modell’s faced significant challenges as the retail environment changed rapidly, with increased competition from large chains and online retailers. After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March of that year, the company closed all of its physical locations by mid-2020. This marked a major shift for a brand that had been a fixture in many communities for more than a century.

The Modell’s name and intellectual property were acquired by Retail Ecommerce Ventures in August 2020. Under new ownership, the company was relaunched as an online-only retailer, focusing on e-commerce and serving customers nationwide through its website. As of November 2025, Modell’s operates exclusively online and has no plans for new physical stores or real estate expansion. The brand continues to engage with its customer base through active social media channels and maintains its headquarters in New York, but its operational footprint is now entirely digital.

For those in commercial real estate, Modell’s transition from a major brick-and-mortar tenant to a pure e-commerce business represents a significant example of retail transformation. The closure of its stores has opened up numerous high-visibility retail spaces for redevelopment or new tenants, and the enduring recognition of the Modell’s brand highlights the evolving nature of the sporting goods sector and the broader retail landscape.