Know our customers
We take great pride in getting to know the people who shop with us. It's a village shop — that's the whole point.
A sports shop is more than its shelves. Ours has been part of Balmain life for four decades — here's how it happened.
Where it began
The Village Sport store first opened its doors way back in 1980 in the Inner West. Originally, it was part of a joint retail outlet with Balmain Disposals — right in the heart of "Tiger" territory, the proud home of Balmain's famous rugby league side.
From the start, it was a neighbourhood shop in the truest sense: a place locals could walk to, talk to, and trust for their sporting gear.
A family takes over
The Village Sport was purchased by brothers Robert and Brian Melkie, and traded from 252 Darling Street, Balmain. Under family ownership, the shop became a fixture of the strip — known as much for its service as its stock.
"Pop in for a chat with Brian — he'll only be too glad to look after you."
The big decision
As the Balmain–Rozelle district grew, it became obvious the area could accommodate a much larger sports store. So the big decision was made — to expand, and to increase the variety of sporting goods on offer.
On 6 August 2000, The Village Sport made its big move to 247 Darling Street, Balmain — into a shop three times larger than its previous size. The new establishment let customers buy their sporting goods locally, at very competitive prices, and turned the store into a major player in the Inner West's sporting industry.
What hasn't changed
We take great pride in getting to know the people who shop with us. It's a village shop — that's the whole point.
The bigger store let us offer real range at very competitive prices — no need to head into the city.
Supporting surrounding schools and sporting clubs — and we'll keep doing so wherever we can.
Support local, buy Australian — a simple idea we've stood behind for four decades.
Four decades, one street
The Village Sport opens in the Inner West, sharing a roof with Balmain Disposals in the heart of "Tiger" territory.
Brothers Robert and Brian Melkie take ownership, trading from 252 Darling Street, Balmain.
6 August — the big move to 247 Darling Street, a shop three times the size, expanding the range of sporting goods.
The store grows into a major player in the Inner West's sporting industry, stocking the brands locals trust.
The longest-running sports store in Balmain — still family-run, still proudly local, still backing community sport.
Four decades on Darling Street, and still glad to see you. Pop in for a browse — or a chat with Brian.
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