History

Alvin Galczenski, Sr.,
Founder of Wayne Sporting Goods

The Galczenski family thanks you for supporting our store for generations. Our loyal customers allow us to keep pace with the large chain stores and carry the latest styles from the top brands you love. We strive to give our customers top products and personal service that you won't find anywhere else. At WSG, our customers are not just a face, they are part of our family.

In 1955, Alvin Galczenski Sr. founded Wayne Sporting Goods Co. Inc. Alvin initially had been involved with the design and manufacture of team uniforms. Quickly, he made the decision to expand his business into a full service sporting goods store, serving his loyal customers by adding clothing and sneaker lines into his rapidly expanding business.

The first site of WSG was in Rosemont in a building no longer standing today. You remember this site as the home of Floyd’s Bowling Alley, presently the site of the CVS in Rosemont. After two years at this location, Al Sr. moved a few miles up the road to North Wayne Avenue in Wayne, in the building currently occupied by Farnan’s Jewelers. This was WSG’s home for only a few years until the building was unable to provide adequate space for the ever-evolving business. WSG moved to its current location on Lancaster Avenue, where the Galczenski family has been proudly serving the community for the last 50 years. With the move to the larger storefront, Al Sr. sought and received a commitment from his son Roger to join the family business. Roger has been responsible for WSG’s day to day operations for the last 35+ years, and his commitment to the business has helped WSG grow substantially into a full service sporting goods company.

Because of increasing retail and outside sales, Al Sr. asked his other son Al Jr. to also join WSG. Around the same time Bernie Connor joined WSG and was a vital part of WSG’s success for over 25 years. Bernie was the director of team sales and oversaw the daily team orders until he passed away in late 2004. He is sadly missed by his good friends at WSG and loyal customers.  In the late 90’s, WSG was able to renovate and expand the retail floor space to over 8,000 square feet, almost doubling its previous size.  Every aspect has been improved in the renovated store, from the displays and fixtures to the quality, quantity and overall selection of merchandise. With this newly designed space, Roger’s wife Karen took over the women’s department and has taken it to new levels. Roger’s oldest son Steve also joined WSG in 2001 and currently overseas much of the team and purchasing divisions. Steve is the third generation in the Galczenski family to be part of WSG.

In 2007, WSG expanded their facilities to offer in-house embroidery and film printing. This has allowed them to offer the highest levels of service to their retail, team and corporate accounts. In 2009, the “Online Team Stores” were launched on WSG’s website which allows teams to set up mini-stores to sell custom imprinted gear to their fan base. This new service has been widely accepted and continues to grow in popularity.   In 2011, WSG doubled its embroidery capacity allowing them to service their customer base more efficiently. Also In 2011 the shoe department as well as the mens and boys clothing sections received a facelift giving customers the best retail shopping experience possible.  WSG looks forward to continuing their growth and commitment to offer unparalleled products to their in-store and online customers.

The future of Wayne Sporting Goods looks very bright because the principles that the business was founded on over 55 years ago are still alive today. We look forward to the next 50 years!

Support those businesses that support your community.  WSG along with many other family owned businesses make Wayne a special place to live, play and shop!