Sadly, Pro-Fit ski and skate in Leesburg is closing its doors. Reportedly, a going out of business sale will be starting on Feb. 25th.

Brian Neely became my bootfitter of choice and the person I would send people to first. This is a real loss for DC Skiers and very distressing because Brian is a really good guy.

Oh &@#$! My wife and I needed to get our boots that we bought form them stretched!! We had been planning on doing it this weekend. Doesn't sound like they'll be able to work on them since "everything" is being sold to the "bare wall" according to the recording.

OMG.

Any ideas of where BN will go next?

Losing his knowledge and expertise is a sad, sad thing indeed.

Wowsers.

Crap. Brian was my bootfitter of first choice (only choice, really!) as well. Any idea on where he would go? Might have to visit this weekend to see what's left.

This is very sad news. I worked with Brian this past fall to get a new pair of boots, and the entire experience was exceptional. Finest pair of boots I've ever had, and he spent a couple hours with me making sure they were right and explaining all kinds of information I never knew about.

Brian, we're all pulling for you and wish you the best! Thanks for setting an example to which others can aspire.

Woody

Wherever he goes, that's where I'm getting boots next year.

Ditto! My first post was - to my embarassment - very self-centered. Brian is a top notch guy and I wish him and his family (I believe he has a young son and a daughter - on the Roundtop ski team??.) the best. He had invited me to join him up at Roundtop recently and I really regret not having cleared the calender to join him.

If anyone finds out where he is headed, please let the rest of us know.

There is another fantasic "Brian" bootfitter (Eardly) at the Ski Center. Maybe they can hook up, make a team and corner the market

I called the Ski Center yesterday to ask about that but Brian Eardly seemed as surprised by the news as I was.

I did though set up an appointment with Brian to hopefully finish the tweaks to my boots before my Banff trip.

I was shocked when I read this. This is a real bummer. This is the only shop where I felt that people actually know what they were talking about.

Disclaimer -I have not dealt with Ski Center, yet. The other shops in the area near me, Alpine and the (new) Ski Chalets... I just never quite got that warm, confident feeling. Of course, IMHO.

I need to have my boots tweaked one last time and I am wondering if I am going to be able to do that.

I know that it is early in the morning still but if somebody gets to the store, can you tell us why/what the store is closing?

I have dealt with Ski Center. I treasure Pro-Fit.

Friend of a friend was at Pro Fit today and according to him, the place was mobbed.

20 people trying boots. Skis walking out of the door.

A sign was posted with 'Quitting business'

Still bummed

Looks like Buckman's up in PA will be the closest Intuition liner specialists.

<sigh>

This sucks. I took my Boots up to Pro-Fit and Brian called his wife on the phone to tell her how to adjust my boots and tweak them out so my toes wouldn't fall asleep. I took the boots out to Whistler and they worked like a champ without any pre test prior to the trip. It stinks that they are going out. I don't know where I will end up getting my next pair of boots fitted. These guys were the best at this.

Support you local shops! I'm certain people buying skiis online to save a few bucks is part of the reason they're closing.

Odd. I just got a flyer from Pro-Fit in the mail inviting me to the "Private Sale"...."prior to Public Advertising"...."Friday, Feb. 27"

I guess a lot of things were in flux and they originally thought they'd be going out of business on Saturday. I'm guessing the creditor/landlord pressed them?

One other interesting thing. The flyer says "redeem gift certificates/store credit by March 15th." That is not consistent with what is on their web site which says they will be open until everything is gone (which I'm thinking could be before the 15th).

So sad.

You're wrong on the name, but right about it being a sad day.

The owners, Brian and Nancy Deely, have made it possible for Northern VA to have a 1st class ski shop for many years. I'll miss them not only for their top notch service but for their friendship and community support. Good luck guys, with whatever you decide to tackle next!

I stopped by last night as I have been working with Brian for a few years. He has fitted me and my family a few times and I honestly don't know if I have ever worked with a nicer person. COACH13 told me about Brian a few years ago and I truly appreciate it, as I would have never ventured down from Westminster without the advice. I will miss bringing my family to the shop, but I know I have gained a friend, which started as getting a pair of boots fitted.

I just want to know who's gonna get the B100 Quads.

RiverHill, was Brian there and do you think he'd be able to work on boots he sold earlier in the year or did you get the impression that he was too busy with selling gear (which I would understand)?

SteveC, I'm not RiverHill but Brian was indeed there. Jeff was mostly handling the ski boot area; Brian was doing other things.

Brian was there I did get a chance to talk with him. I would stop by and talk with him and see what he can do. As you probably know he can do wonders with his boot fitting skills. The still have lots of stuff!

Thanks you two for the info. I think we'll try to stop by on Saturday.

Call Brian before you go in, and set up a time. That way, you'll be sure to catch him and he will definitely set some time aside for you.

I would have done that earlier but they don't seem to be answering the phone and the recording on the phone said they would not be responding to messages.

I was there this morning, and they said I still had time for a tune if I brought in my stuff next week. Very sad to see them go. On the plus side, they're eventually going to sell the tuning equipment-- how about we all buy shares and put Comprex in charge of the DCSki Tune Shop (members only)?

I went this morning and Jeff very graciously worked on my boots. They said they'd be around until everything was gone, which Jeff seemed to indicate would be awhile, and coming by in the evening would be best if I needed any additional work.

A little off topic, but since they are not answering the phone, I was wondering if anyone can give me a little info on how much hockey equipment was left?

There seemed to be more hockey sticks than skis but I wasn't really looking.

They have a good bit of hockey stuff left, as of Sat.

Thanks. We will try to make the drive from Richmond next weekend.

Here is a clipping from the local Leesburg Today newspaper on the closing of Pro-Fit.

Leesburg Ski/Skate Shop To Close

Tuesday, February 24, 2009
After 14 years in Leesburg, Pro-Fit Ski & Skate will be closing its doors.

Owners Brian and Nancy Deely cite lack of snow and warm temperatures over the past three ski seasons as the primary reason for the liquidation. The store began a "quitting business sale" Wednesday to liquidate all inventory, equipment and fixtures.

"It is a painful decision to make since we have built such great relationships with all of our customers and the community over the years. However, from a financial standpoint, and a family standpoint, it's the right to do at this time," Nancy Deely said in a statement.

Pro-Fit is a specialty retailer focusing on ski and snowboard clothing and equipment, ice and roller hockey clothing and equipment, skateboard equipment and accessories, and in-line skate equipment. The Deelys started the store in 1995 after working in ski shops since 1976. Their core belief that proper fit is critical to equipment performance is even reflected in the business name. The staff's expertise attracted a customer base of both professional athletes and amateur enthusiasts, and received national recognition as well. The store was voted SKI Magazine's Gold Medal Ski Shop for 2007-08 and has been certified "America's Best" by the MasterFit University Bootfitter Training Centers.

Pro-Fit Ski & State is located in the Bellewood Commons Shopping Center at 545-D East Market Street.

I wonder if Brian will consider doing boot fittings or adjustments privately or by appointments only.

It looks like there are enough interested customers out there looking for a qualified boot fitting master.

Ask him! I, for one, would continue to pay him for his masterful boot fitting services.

He seems to be considering different business models that would allow him to just do bootfitting. I'd suggest dropping him an email if you have an idea.

While Jeff was working on my boots, my wife was speaking to one of the other employees who indicated that Internet sales put a real hurt on their brick and mortar business.

Does anybody know the approx closing date?

I was there two weeks ago. Lots of boots. A few rental skis for sale. Poles. Some clothing. Some skating gear.

The shop area behind the boot section was pretty bare.

Another 2-3 weeks at the most. I stopped by there on Sat to see Brian (he is a long time friend of mine) and didn't ask specifically, but from some of the things he said, they will be done in the beginning of April... maybe sooner.

cj

If you bought a boot from him now would he still be in the local area next season if it needed adjustments?

Yes. Stay tuned.

Kinda like Steve Rooke is doing for
http://www.radicalsportsmanagement.com/

Does anyone have contact info, phone, email, webpage, cousin of a sister's husband's friend connection with Brian nowadays?

Comprex, if no one else has it, I can get it for you. So PM me.

I anyone has Brian's contact info, I'd love to have it so I can catch up with him before the season starts.

Thanks!

I think we're going to get a nice little surprise in this regard come about mid to late Oct. Leesburg is about to again become the place to visit for boot and ski work.

Well, now you guys are torturin' me. I need to get my skis tuned at a reliable place and had relied on Pro Fit b/c of the good work and reasonable distance from home.

So...I have to wait???

Woody

You do...but not for long.

Come on Coach spill the beans. Brian has done all the work on my families boots and I really can't think of anyone else doing the work for us. I told Brian last year that I will hunt him down when it's time for new boots. My wife has never been happier with her ski boots and you know what they say if the wife is not happy nobody is

Hey--don't forget, a very wise man steered you to Pro Fit in the 1st place.

As I hinted earlier, Brian's working to get his new shop open in Leesburg, and he's almost there. He's going to focus on ski and boot work, so for those of us who relied on him for these services over the years, this is really good news.

I'll update things here when he opens his (new) doors.

FYI--I spoke to Brian today, so here's the update I promised.

He's opening his new shop on Catoctin Circle in Leesburg on Monday 11/16. The name of the shop will be Pro Fit Ski & Boot and, as I said, before will focus on ski and boot work.

I hope all of Pro Fit's loyal customers will return to the shop for all of their tuning and boot-work needs. I know my family will.

Welcome back Pro Fit!!

Coach13 we are headed out this week to see Brian. Maybe we will catch up there!

Let's move discussion about the amazing Brian and ProFit to this thread since ProFit is back in business!!!

Anyone know what the operations at Pro-Fit are like now? Is it just Brian and Nancy doing service/repair and fitting? Are they selling ANY merchandise - maybe at least hand warmers?

Nope, just ski and boot work. He's doing well though and keeping busy with limited hours.

Is there any way to change the title of this thread? It is probably not doing their business any good

Denis,
Sometime back I opened a new thread with a positive title. Seems to have gone by the wayside.
I agree with you 100%, this thread does the ProFit business no good and only creates confusion about the reincarnated scaled back ProFit2.
The Colonel