By Joey Lupus, Staff Writer
Dick’s Sporting Goods, one of the nation’s largest sports and outdoor merchandise stores, has announced a grand opening in Savannah, marking the first large-scale sporting goods store in the history of the Hostess City.
The founder of this prestigious franchise, Dick Stack, opened the first Dick’s in 1958. He did not have the money to fund the store so he borrowed 300 dollars from his grandmother for the initial funding. Stack used this investment by his grandmother and his hard work ethic to open his first store, which was a fish and bait shop in Birmingham, Alabama. Ed Stack, Dick’s son, became the CEO of this small now two-shop company after his father and has since expanded the Dick’s empire to encompass more than 500 stores.
A huge sporting good’s store like Dick’s in this great city should prove to be extremely convenient for consumers of all ages. However, this type of large-scale commercialism does hold consequences for some of the people in Savannah. Among these consequences is that a well-known local sporting good store called Russell’s Sporting Goods, which operates in the same fields as Dick’s, can no longer compete. This local favorite sold their business to Thompson Sporting Goods Store in anticipation of the arriving sports giant.
The new store is located on Mall Boulevard, which is right by the Oglethorpe Mall, a prime location for all of Savannah. The store is opening on Oct. 5.. This location will mark the 18th Dick’s Sporting Goods Store in Georgia. Dick’s has everything you can imagine when it comes to athletic and outdoor apparel, equipment, and even boats, ATVs and trailers.
“At Dick’s Sporting Goods, we are passionate about supporting youth athletics in our communities. Already in Savannah we work with the USSSA Georgia Pride and the Savannah Sand Gnats. We look forward to working with more groups, races, and community events for many years to come,” commented Erin Hansen, Community Marketing Manager for Dick’s.
On Friday, Oct. 5. from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Blair Wiggins will be hosting “Addictive Fishing” as an attraction for the grand opening. The first 100 people in line will be eligible for a free Reebok Play Dry T-shirt. On Saturday, Dick’s sporting tech and former softball standout Jen Schroeder, will be hosting a softball clinic in-store from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. followed by an autograph signing from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday giveaways will also include a free Mystery Gift Card from $5 to $500 for the first 100 adults in line. Guests who are in line at 7:45 a.m. Saturday and 8:45 a.m. on Sunday will also get a chance to open the Dick’’s Sporting Goods Gift Locker.
