Long-time employee buys Herb Philipson’s, says “best is yet to come”

ROME, N.Y. — Herb Philipson’s Army and Navy Stores has been sold to an employee whose tenure with the business stretches back decades to when he worked with the sporting-goods retailer’s founder and namesake.

Guy Viti, president of merchandizing and operations for the nine-store chain, purchased Herb Philipson’s two months after President Gary Philipson announced it was up for sale.

“My mother and I could not be happier than to see the sale of Herb Philipson’s to Guy Viti. Guy started working for my father 37 years ago and has worked with me for most of my career,” Gary Philipson said in a news release.

After thanking Gary Philipson and his mother, Aviva, Viti said he had changes in mind for the chain. “I have plans for many new and exciting changes at our nine stores. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come.”

Gary Philipson announced the business was for sale in mid-January. He explained that changing markets, milder winters and online competition contributed to his decision, as did his age, his health and “the realization that my kids are not interested in taking over the business.”

 Herb Philipson’s was founded by Herb Philipson in 1951 when he opened the first store in Rome. Since then, it has grown to be a regional retailer of outdoor and casual apparel, workwear, footwear, and sporting and surplus goods. The chain has 340 employees and stores in Rome, Oneida, New Hartford, Herkimer, Watertown, Newark, Liverpool, DeWitt, and Oswego.

Contact McChesney at cmcchesney@cnybj.com

Photo credit: Herb Philipson’s Army and Navy Stores website