In sport since 1948.
In Andermatt since 1995.
What began in 1948 as a small shop in Bürglen is today a third-generation family business from the canton of Uri — with three shops in Andermatt, the main shop in Bürglen and two shops in Altdorf.
One thing has not changed in all those years: we stand in the shop ourselves, we know the mountain outside the door, and we advise the way we would want to be advised.
It started with army shoes, binoculars and bicycles that our father bought in Zurich and sold on in Bürglen. Soon came what really drove him: sport. He was at every Schwingen festival and at the ski races, president of the organising committee of the Kinzig-Derby, a member of half a dozen clubs — and for 45 years the bandmaster of the Echo vom Kinzig. That mix of trade and genuine enthusiasm is what has been passed on ever since.
Josef Imholz, the founder.
A shop opposite the Adler
At the age of 23, Josef Imholz opens his first shop in Bürglen, across the street from the Gasthaus Adler: «Josef Imholz Schuhe und Sport». On the shelves are army shoes, coats, binoculars and boots. He fetches the bicycles from Zurich himself and sells them on in Bürglen.
Shoes and sport
Two years later Josef settles on the focus: shoes and sport. The most expensive mountain boot in the range is a full Tricouni at 65 francs.
The new building that still stands today
With the energetic support of his wife Margrit, Josef opens the new building at the present-day location in Bürglen — 130 square metres of shop floor, celebrated with a whole row of well-known guests. The family lives above the shop: the three children grow up in the business.
From 130 to 650 square metres. And the Sportlerbar.
«Either we make our shop bigger or we stop», Margrit says to Josef. They make it bigger — from 130 to 650 square metres. A customer says afterwards that it felt like walking into a shopping centre.
At the same time the Sportlerbar is built, where over the years half of Uri and a good many sporting greats have stopped by. Nobody smokes there any more.
«Either we make our shop bigger or we stop.»
MARGRIT IMHOLZ TO HER HUSBAND JOSEF, BEFORE THE 1978 REBUILD — TRANSLATED FROM GERMAN
Andermatt: test centre at the valley station
The test centre on Gotthardstrasse moves to the valley station of the Gemsstockbahn. That puts Imholz Sport where the mountain begins — and it has stayed there ever since.
The second generation takes over
Hans-Ueli, Josef and Monika take over the business from their parents. «Josef Imholz Schuhe und Sport» becomes Imholz Sport AG. In the mid-nineties «Cash» is added in Altdorf.
The third generation, first winter season at the Gemsstock
A first winter season in the shop at the Gemsstockbahn — and the sports-retail bug has bitten. Today the third generation runs the three businesses in Andermatt.
The Nordic House and the Freeride Academy
In December, The Nordic House Andermatt opens, the home of cross-country skiing in Urserental. The same year sees the founding of Freeride Academy Andermatt and Alpine Management GmbH — guided freeriding with its own course modules. The Freeride Days and «Göscheneralp erleben» grew out of that later on.
Piazza Gottardo: shop and stage in Andermatt Reuss
In December 2018 the third Andermatt location opens: retail, rental — and room for events such as the Snow & Safety Workshop by Mammut, the Piazza Gottardo Day with Bikewelt Gisler or the European Outdoor Film Tour.
75 years of sports enthusiasm from Uri
Three generations, one family business. For the anniversary we made a film that tells the story in five minutes — with fluffed lines at the start, because that is more honest.
Five minutes, 75 years
For the anniversary we told our own story — in front of the camera, with fluffed lines at the start. Five minutes and fifteen seconds, in German. The film only starts when you start it; nothing is loaded from YouTube before that.
All cut from the same wood
Today we run the business together — siblings and a nephew, the third generation. From the outside it may look like nothing but harmony and holding hands. It is not always. We debate, we talk things through, and then we carry on. In the end we are all cut from the same wood.
There are many more anecdotes to tell. That is what our Sportlerbar is for. But there is one thing we really do want to say here: none of this would have been possible without customers who stay loyal to us across generations, and without a team that gives its best every day. Thank you.
«For all the other stories, there is always our Sportlerbar.»
In honour of the founders: Josef «Bebu» and Margrit Imholz
Without the two of them, none of this would exist. Josef started in 1948, Margrit carried the business with him — and in 1978 said the sentence that turned 130 square metres into 650.
We would love to tell you in person.
Three shops in Andermatt, the main shop in Bürglen — and a Sportlerbar where the stories keep going.