South Forty Acquires Roy’s Sport Shop

Acquisition builds on Roy’s longstanding community presence while creating new opportunities for team apparel, custom products and local service

WATERTOWN, S.D. — July 21, 2026 — South Forty Specialties announces the acquisition of Roy’s Sport Shop, a beloved Watertown institution that has outfitted local schools, teams, athletes, and families for generations.

Roy’s Sport Shop will now join the South Forty family, combining its trusted local presence with South Forty’s design expertise, customization capabilities, and growing lineup of sports and lifestyle products. The move strengthens South Forty’s sports division while ensuring customers continue to receive the personalized service Roy’s has long delivered.

“Roy’s has been a staple in Watertown sports for as long as most of us can remember,” said Jim Engels, Founder and CEO of South Forty Specialties. “It’s earned the loyalty of athletes, coaches, parents, and schools for decades. We’re honored to carry that legacy forward and excited to combine Roy’s experience with everything we’re building at South Forty.”

For Gene and Kathy Bierscheid, keeping Roy’s connected to Watertown and placing the business in the hands of a local company were important considerations as they looked toward its future.

“Since 1970, Roy’s Sport Shop has supplied sporting goods and apparel to the Watertown region, and our family has had the opportunity to carry on that legacy for 40 years,” said Gene and Kathy Bierscheid. “We are incredibly proud to pass the torch to South Forty Specialties. Joining another Watertown company keeps Roy’s local roots intact while bringing a skilled team, an expanded sales network and top-tier in-house apparel decoration to area coaches and athletes. We are grateful to the past owners and loyal community members who have supported Roy’s, and we are confident South Forty has the resources to carry the Roy’s name into the future.”

Both businesses share a deep commitment to the communities they serve. Roy’s brings a rich heritage in team sports and longstanding local relationships, while South Forty contributes expanded in-house production capabilities, advanced technology, and robust e-commerce reach. Together, the combined strengths will deliver more options and superior service to teams, schools, businesses, and families throughout the region.

“We know Roy’s means a lot to this community,” Engels said. “Our focus is on protecting what made it successful, taking care of longtime customers, and investing in its future. We’re grateful for the chance to keep serving Watertown and the surrounding region through this next chapter.”

The acquisition reflects South Forty’s continued investment in Watertown and its mission to create high-quality products and spaces that bring people together through work, recreation, sports, and family life. South Forty will manage the transition with full respect for Roy’s established reputation, with additional details on branding, services, ordering, locations, and future plans to be shared as the integration progresses.