Berry's Athletic Supply Hits It Home in Lemon Grove

It was 1952 when Art and Bernice Berry opened a Firestone tire store on Lemon Grove Avenue (then known as Imperial Avenue) near the corner of Broadway. In addition to automotive goods, they offered toys and a small selection of baseball gloves, bats and balls. Back then, there were not many stores in the East County where sporting goods could be purchased.

Soon the sporting goods side was outselling the tire side, and Berry needed more space. The building on the corner of Broadway (now a Starbucks) became available, and they moved in. With the increased visibility, the business grew. Being next door to the popular also helped. When the bakery moved in 1977 to its present location, Berry expanded into their old space. Business for was good.

In 1981, Art Berry thought he had a serious illness. To ensure Bernice would be well taken care of, he decided to sell the store. The Healey Enright family bought the business that year, and, luckily, Berry ultimately recovered. The new owners further expanded the business, and in 1993 acquired the large building where they currently operate. The site was originally a U.S. National Bank built by C. Arnholt Smith—its massive vault is now used as a storeroom for bats and caps.

One of the owners, John Enright, gave me a tour and told me a bit about the business. What struck me immediately was that baseball is king here, and football the crown prince. Berry’s provides athletic supplies for the majority of high school and college sports. If you need a pair of specialized lacrosse shoes, or your team wants personalized soccer jerseys, or just about anything else involving sports, this is the place to go.

You are in good company shopping at Berry’s. The athletic departments of USD, Grossmont College and Southwestern College, among other schools, buy their sporting gear here. Enright said clients also include youth, adult, semi-pro and professional sport teams, but retail sales to individuals are still the backbone of the business.

The store has a knowledgeable staff who will help you select what you need. They offer personalized service, and really understand the sporting goods scene.

Their selection of baseball bats alone was amazing, starting with the basic hickory-looking wood bat for $24. When I held the top-of-the-line $299 composite bat, even I felt I might hit one out of the park! Apparently many things have changed since I was in Little League.

For more than 60 years, Berry's has continued to provide Lemon Grove and San Diego County with quality athletic products and excellent service.

Berry's Athletic Supply is located at 7946 Broadway, at the corner of Grove Street in Lemon Grove. You can check out their extensive website, or call them at 619-466-1248. The store hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.