Two urban retailers combine forces

Two urban-focused athletic footwear and apparel retailers have merged.



Private equity firms Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. and Goode Partners completed a transaction that will merge DTLR and Sneaker Villa (Villa). The merged company will operate nearly 240 stores covering 19 states and the District of Columbia, spanning the East Coast from New York to Florida, the Midwest, the Southeastern U.S. and Texas.



The store footprints of DTLR (formerly known as Downtown Locker Room) and Villa are complementary, with little overlap. Baltimore-based DTLR operates more than 100 stores, mostly in the Mid-Atlantic Region. It has been owned by Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. since 2005. The Philadelphia-based Villa has more than 120 locations, mostly in the Mid-West. It was acquired by Goode Partners in 2013.



"This merger will allow us to better serve our customers, employees and vendor partners" said Glenn Gaynor, CEO of DTLR. "The combination will allow us to enhance the consumer experience by leveraging the best practices of both Villa and DTLR. By combining our talent and resources, we can accelerate growth and expand our reach."



Both DTLR and Villa have "community-centric cultures" and both partner with the top footwear and apparel suppliers.