ST. GEORGE – Dick’s Sporting Goods invites the community to celebrate the grand opening of its St. George store at Red Rock Commons on Friday.
Dick’s Sporting Goods, located at Red Rock Commons, 15 S. River Road in St. George, opens its doors on Wednesday, March 6, so the public may have a preview of what it has to offer the sports enthusiast. However, the main event, the three-day grand opening celebration, does not occur until Friday, March 9. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 8 a.m., and a variety of give-a-ways, special offers, and festivities will ensue.
Special guest Larry Johnson, former UNLV and NBA star, will also be on site from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 10.*
“We want everyone in the community to come and join us for the grand opening,” said Augie Pineyrua, a senior community marketing manager for Dick’s Sporting Good. Pineyrua oversees marketing operations in Arizona, Nevada and Utah, and came to St. George for the opening of the company’s newest store in the in region
A full schedule of the three days’ events can be found on the Dick’s Sporting Goods St. George website.
Aside from the give-a-ways and the chance to meet a star of the NBA, Pineyrua said Dick’s Sporting Goods will have a lasting impact in the community beyond the three-day celebration.
Community outreach
“We’ll be very active in the community,” Pineyrua said, speaking of Dick’s Sporting Goods’ Community Youth Sports Program.
In a statement from Dick’s Sporting Goods, the company described itself as “proud to be an active member of the communities they serve through the efforts of community marketing and youth sports programs.”
Dick Stack, the company’s founder, believed sports taught children the fundamentals of teamwork, work ethic, and good sportsmanship. Today Dick’s Sporting Goods sponsors youth sports programs wherever it can.
“We take it very seriously,” Pineyrua said.
He added that representatives of Dick’s Sporting Goods had spent the last month talking with several local sport organizations about the sponsorship program.
“We support as many programs as we can, we help where we can.” he said.
Select organizations – typically youth and team-oriented ones – are then analyzed according to their specific needs. Donations are then made based upon those needs.
Pineyrua said some of the organizations contacted by Dick’s Sporting Goods included area high schools, Dixie State College, the local Little League, youth soccer teams, and others.
This year, Dick’s Sporting Goods’ outreach program is projected to equip over a million youth athletes nationwide.
More information on the youth sports outreach program can be found on the store’s sponsorship and donation webpage.
The store
Dick’s Sporting Goods was founded in 1948 by Dick Stack. It remained a relatively small company until the 1980s, when Edward Stack, the founder’s son, took the helm and grew the company into one of the nation’s largest sports retailers.
Today, Dick’s Sporting Goods includes over 480 stores. The St. George store is the company’s third store in Utah, and 482nd store overall.
Each store also employes between 40 and 50 people, Pineyrua said.
As for the stores themselves, Pineyrua called them “unique” in their arrangement, as each department is set up as a “shop within a shop.”
Departments to be found at Dick’s Sporting Goods include:
- Team Sports – traditional team sports equipment will be found here.
- The Lodge – goods for the outdoor enthusiast. This department includes hunting and firearms, camping, climbing and hiking, boating, winter sports, etc.
- Bikes and Fitness – bicycles, exercise equipment and related items.
- Golf Pro Shop – Pineyrua said there would be a pro-golfer on staff to aid customers once the store opens.
- Footwear – shows for every sports occasion, be it football, soccer, or hiking.
- Sports apparel – popular and private brands will be available. Brand-loyalists will be happy with the selection, Pineyrua said.
Pineyrua added each store is also “regionally relevant.” A question of “What does this specific area like to do?” is asked as pertaining to sports and outdoor activities. Once the answer is determined, the store is specially tailored to meet area needs.
And just what type of service can customers expect at Dick’s Sporting Goods?
“We like to offer excellent customer service,” Pineyrua said. “Customer service is very, very important. We know we carry great product, and will do whatever it takes to help the customer.”
Additional information on Dick’s Sporting Goods and the grand opening celebration starting Friday, March 9, can be found on the company’s website.
* Times and appearances are subject to change without notice. See store for details.
twitter: @MoriKessler
Copyright 2012 St. George News
Don’t get me wrong, I support any new business that comes in, especially in today’s economy, but really, another sporting goods store? Big 5 is within feet of Dick’s, Sportsmans is basically on the same side of town, not to mention other smaller stores and the big box retailers supplying sporting goods. Also, GAP next to Old Navy? Those are both major mormon-apparel stores with their plain, basic tastes of pastels and plaids, so that’s really no wonder. I just wish St. George would get something new and exciting like a Forever 21 or Victoria’s Secret for the hip, sexy ladies and a Tillies, Spencer’s or Hot Topic (again) for the more hip dudes. When are we going to get a new restaurant chain in here-it’s been a while. I know many residents would like to see a Dave and Busters, TGI Friday’s, Sizzler, Poppeye’s Chicken, Cicili’s Pizza etc.
Welcome Dick’s, hiwever I do agree, we have plenty of sporting good stores, but what gets me even more is why have all these little strip malls and plazas lining the thoroughfares instead of just building a nice big indoor mall to house all these new retailers? Dick’s is a common mall anchor in the Vegas area, as is GAP or Old Navy. I feel like our developable space in the downtown area is very limited, so it makes sense to build a large mall and have everything in one convenient place.
Dick’s is awesome! We bought a couple of kayaks at the one in Vegas last year, and were impressed at what a selection they had. So now we’ll have several nice sporting goods stores here in town with Sportsman’s, Big 5, and Dick’s. (I hope Big 5 doesn’t take too much of a hit!)
Big Ty and Ms. Jackson–Both of you have very good ideas but you are forgetting one thing: It’s a free market. I’m sure Dick’s did plenty of research before spending the money they did to locate there. Just like any other business, they spend their money and take chances where ever they choose to.
Feel free to email or contact these other stores you would like to see and try to lure them to STG. Businesses come and go. Chances are that Big 5 will go under before the year ends. That’s okay, they had a good run. Who knows, maybe a Hooters will move in their spot.
I hope they make a good business out of it, but I won’t be going back. This store is RIDICULOUSLY overpriced… $45 for a men’s athletic shirt? Come on!
Put these new stores all in a REAL mall with a full-service food court and stadium seating theaters…that’s my vote!! Metro Washington County is overdue for this.