Sport Chalet opens new downtown Los Angeles store

The La Cañada Flintridge-based sporting goods chain Sport Chalet, Inc. opened a new store in downtown Los Angeles this week.

Located inside the newly renovated FIGat7th retail center on Figueroa and 7th streets, the 27,000-square-foot store will offer classes for 52 weeks on activities including cycling, hiking and scuba diving. Seven employees fluent in Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Vietnamese and Hindi will be on hand to handle the expected influx of tourists. The new store is near popular attractions such as L.A. Live and the Staples Center.

Craig Levra, chairman and chief executive officer of Sport Chalet, said the region was in need of a store.

“We did the research and found that the downtown Los Angeles community in particular is underserved today,” said Levra in a statement. “There’s a critical need for a community-oriented retailer that can provide an opportunity for residents, commuters and tourists to try, learn and experience their preferred sport at ease.”

-- Tiffany Kelly, tiffany.kelly@latimes.com

Follow on Google+ and on Twitter: @LATiffanyKelly.