Sporting goods store opens new location in Portage

Kathy Jennings | Thursday, August 1, 2013

Dick's Sporting Goods, which describes itself as the largest U.S. based full-line sporting goods retailer, will celebrate Aug. 2-4 the grand opening of its new 50,0000-square-foot store in Portage.

The company says such stores typically open with about 60 employees, including a store manager, two sales managers, a sales support manager, seven sales leaders and 50 full-time and part-time sales associates. More employees may be hired seasonally.

The Portage store at 6355 Westnedge Avenue is the retailer's 21st in the state of Michigan and its 527th nationwide. The new store will feature over 40 in-store services performed by Dick's certified PROS in golf, bike, hunting, fishing, team sports and more. Services such as golf club fittings, bicycle tune ups, gait analysis, bowling ball drilling, and racquet stringing are available.

Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader will make an appearance in-store from 3 - 5 p.m Sunday. Beginning at 9 a.m. that day, 250 wristbands will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. (Fans must have a wristband and must be in the Special Appearance line by 1 p.m. to receive an autograph. Limit one wristband and one autograph per person.)

Special extended store hours will be in effect for the grand opening 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m Sunday. Special giveaways are planned throughout the weekend. Further details on the grand opening are available on the store's website.

“We chose this location due to Portage being a great market in which we can serve the sporting goods and equipment needs of athletes in the local community,” says Community Marketing Manager David Prout. "We are excited to be part of the community."

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: David Prout, Dick's Sporting Goods