As a big fan and player of hockey, I love visiting smaller local shops. Gunzo's is always a must when I'm in the Chicago area. Great atmosphere and a true passion for the game! read more

I was in town to celebrate my nephew's 10th birthday. Just like his dad and his uncle, my nephew is a big hockey fan. Too many times while he was growing up did his uncle show up and head off to Hawks games with his dad leaving a very, very unhappy young man with his mom. Thanks Amy, you're a saint! Well B is now old enough that we can't do that anymore and now have taken him to a few games. B has also been playing hockey for a few years now and at the age of 10 is one heck of a skater. He loves to play and this weekend he actually didn't have a game so we went to the local outdoor rink to play. After a few hours my brother asked if we could stop of Gunzo's to get his skate's sharpened and to get some other items for his team. I was thrilled to go as I grew up going to this place and haven't been here in over 20 years. Walking in the place is decked out in Hawks items. They also have plenty of skates, stick and equipment. Going back here brought back all sorts of great memories of my youth. While my brother and nephew were getting some items I took the opportunity to look around at all the other items they had for sale. With Christmas and birthday's our budget was running a bit tight however I accept full responsibility for giving into my temptation to purchase an old school banner from the old Stadium. Too many great memories from that old barn and I just had to add that to our Hawks themed man cave. After all if we can't make it to all the Hawks games at least we can make the area that we watch them seem like home. read more

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I guess I could spend time shopping around online and price matching and driving to pure hockey or whatever they're named this week, but the sport itself is steeped in tradition and loyalty so when outfitting myself and my kids, I tend to head to Gunzos as my dad did decades ago. Yes I will snap up a killer deal online but for sharpening and day to day and to replace some pads as my boys grow out of them, I shop local. So what if I spend an extra $2 on laces or pay an extra $10 for a stick? The times that they've helped me out, given actual knowledgeable advice, resharpened my skates for nothing or close to nothing when I was experimenting with hollows more than make up for it. Not to mention the support for the community. They'll order you anything, they take care of your teams needs, and if you want some cool real Blackhawks gear, they got it. Stop buying into the amazon Walmart garbage world where if you don't get your item for $1.50 and have it delivered in the next 30 seconds you're all over posting your dumb 1 star review and start supporting your local guys and appreciate what they bring to the game and to the community. read more

Gunzo's Sports Center - Sports Wear Near Me - River Forest, Illinois

I don't play hockey (duh) but finally found myself some decent figure skates here. Unlike Sports Authority, Gunzo's had more than one choice of skate (OK, it was only two) and someone actually helped me tie them on. I had to drop a c-note for them, but with the exorbitant cost of rentals at Millennium Park (NINE bucks!) the cost should be amortized in a couple of years. There were lots of different skate guards to choose from, and a first sharpening for free. If you are a hockey player, you will find everything you need here, plus some cute hockey-themed shirts for the ladies. read more

I got fitted for Hockey equipment for the first time last week at Gunzo's. A very nice man named Butch was extremely helpful, easy to work with and knowledgable in answering my many questions. What I loved about the store was it's old time hockey feel, although I understand they have a brand new store in Morton Grove, as well. My friends referred me to Gunzo's and I am glad that they did. I will definately shop here again!! read more

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Horrible customer service. Wanted to try on skates and only saw one person who looked miserable and did not want to help. After waiting 15 minutes I finally just left. Also the selection of equipment is very minimal. For a Hockey headquarters all they really have is hockey jerseys so if you're looking for one of them with poor service I found your place. read more

Great amount of gear available - even for a little 5 year old getting started with hockey. More importantly, the staff was EXTREMELY helpful in fitting and showing me how to prep my daughter for the ice. Yes it is more expensive than Sport Authority or Play it Again, but I would pay more for the service - it goes a long way. read more

Super friendly, knowledgeable staff. Helped me pick out the best helmet for my needs... Months and months later, that helmet had a warrantee issue and they swapped it out on the spot. I'll (continue) to tell all my friends that they should go to Gunzo's. They even offered to hang my league's season poster! read more

This store may not be anywhere near as massive as a Total Hockey, but I enjoy the old time hockey feel of this place, and the service is top notch. Got fitted for a new pair of hockey skates (including heat fitting) by Butch, who was very knowledgable and very helpful. read more

Gunzo's has a corner on the hockey equipment market in the near western suburbs, that's for sure. However, I do like going to the store in River Forest. I've bought most of my gear here, including my skates, which were heat-fitted on-site. All of the guys are helpful and willing to go the extra mile in fitting your gear, helping you fix it or replace something. I usually get my skates sharpened by Butch because he does the best job of anyone in the area. Their selection isn't as good as TotalHockey in most categories, but their level of service makes it worthwhile. Went in today to get some new wheels for my inline skates and they took the time to change them for me, a tedious job for sure. They also have a small selection of lacrosse stuff and figure skates. read more

The first time I went into gunzos I was like 5. My dad told me, "this is where you go when you want the good stuff." I played for like 6 years as a kid until we moved and couldn't afford it. Fast forward 17 years I want to start playing again and I need good skates. It's like the first time. Still get exited going in, they still have the best stuff and they know everything. Learned a ton without pressure to buy. I was looking at skates two sizes too big and didn't know it until they explained it to me. The skates they set me up with absolutely rule, heat fitted and butch put a help of an edge on them too. Discount on sharpening if you buy them there. read more

My mother was a huge hockey fan growing up and went to all the games in the '60s and '70s. Her favorite player was Daniel Maloney, and she'd go to every one of his autograph signings, eventually covering her jersey in his signatures. That jersey meant so much to her but it was donated to Goodwill when she was at school or something, she says. She was crushed, but thanks to Gunzo's, I was able to bring back a little piece of her childhood with a heat-pressed shirt bearing Maloney's name and number. "Every time I look at it, I get goosebumps. I can't believe this." Those were her words when I gave her the shirt. Beyond moving people to tears, Gunzo's has an insane selection of hockey gear, including skates and helmets and mouth guards. I don't play, but this place would be great for those who do. Really enjoy their selection, and I appreciate the staff. They're all friendly and helpful and know the ins and outs of hockey. I was so impressed, in fact, I bought more than I had planned on buying. Go here if you're looking for a legitimate Chicago-based sports store. I know, there are "other," bigger, chain sports stores nearby, but after going to Gunzo's, I feel like I can't even go back there anymore. read more

Gunzo's is a friendly hockey store that will take its time to find the right match of hockey gear. Gunzo's have been around for years and are pros at what they do. I love to go there and my skates sharpened, because many times the guys there charged me nothing for it. Some times they have given discounts on things to help you out. They also have a great selection of the newest hockey gear out there. I've been going there for years and will for many more to come. read more

This place is like a hallway with a constant background noise of skate sharpener grinding, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much gear tit had. Wow. I had been looking for new elbow pads and shin guards online for over two weeks, and Gunzo's had all four models I was considering, in my size, plus many more. They also have about every stick in every curve you can think of. The prices don't seem to be inflated either, which can be a drawback to such small stores. Probably because they have a few other retail outlets elsewhere... Anyway, if you need any hockey gear, don't waste your time with Sports Authority's pathetic hockey section. Even Play It Again can't compete, and they claim to be the biggest hockey retailer in the country. read more

It seems that everybody (myself included) is quick to voice their displeasure, while a pleasurable experience goes under appreciated. Well, I recently had the pleasure of dealing with Gunzo's who displayed both sense and sensibility. I bought my son a new goalie bag before the start of the season in September. After about a month of standard usage, the mechanism that allows the handle to rise and retract broke. The warranty was expired but it was clear it was a defect from the manufacture (Warrior). Talked to Gunzo's and they asked for me to bring it in. They saw that it was dysfunctional and gave me another bag. I was expecting the worst and was pleased with the entire experience. Thanks guys! read more

My go-to place for hockey gear. Helpful guys, knowledgeable about hockey and gear--I've bought all my equipment there--all of it. They also have a kickass selection of Hawks apparel and jerseys that you won't find at the Hawks store (in fact I prefer their stuff). They also sharpen skates (don't forget to tip your skate sharpener, people!). read more

Thank you Gunzo's Pure Hockey, you let me find my first great skate shoes. It is great store to shop skate shoes,,, very patient to find the right shoes for you !!! I definitely shop there again. read more

Gunzo's is amazing - it is all about ice hockey. It has been in the same RF location forever - maybe 50 years? It has been the "go to" store for professional quality ice skates, sharpening and skating accesories long before the sports chains. I remember seeing Bobby Hull hanging out here back in the day. Their staff is super knowledgeable and if they don't have what you need (unlikely) they can get it for you. I'm not sure if it is still the Blackhawks team store, but it is definately the best skate / hockey store in the Western suburbs. read more

I have been a loyal Gunzo's customer for almost the full 5 years that I have lived in Chicago. I live in the city and after they closed the Johnny's East location, I still took the time to drive to the Dempster St. location in Morton Grove because I felt that they were the best option for sharpening and small accessories. I recently purchased a nice pair of Bauer skates online and went to Gunzo's today to have them baked and sharpened. The gentlemen there told me it would be $65.00. I laughed until I realized that he was serious. He told me $15 for the FIRST TIME sharpening (normal is $7) and the rest for the baking. Needless to say I left. I drove further out to Total Hockey in Glenview and the wonderful people there charged me $6.00 . That's right, SIX DOLLARS!! I tipped the sharpener for the first time in my life. If they would have charged $40-50, I would have then understood that the normal price must be somewhere around what Gunzo's was asking. Obviously this is not the case. I will never visit Gunzo's again and will take the extra 15 min each way to go to Total Hockey now that I know how greedy Gunzo's is. Total Hockey also had waxed laces for $3.99 ($9.99 @ Gunzo's). Pretty bummed but glad I found out before wasting any more of my money there. read more

UPDATE: I went in here to get my skates sharpened and Butch did a great job and super fast. All the guys were laughing and having a great time. Smiles were everywhere. They were really helpful with equipment advice. I really enjoy stopping in here and always end up leaving with a bunch of stuff. Keep up the good work, gentlemen! read more

Great spot for hockey parents buying equipment, especially parents who are new to the game. Staff is friendly, helpful and supportive.