Employees are training and setting up merchandise inside a new sporting goods and apparel store, which will be open for the back-to-school and upcoming fall sports seasons in Boardman.
During an early media tour with Denny Andonov, director of the new Academy Sports + Outdoors, customers were already trying to come in and shop.
“There’s a lot of really good deals for grand opening. Coming out, seeing us is worthwhile; these deals are exclusive to this location. You won’t find them online,” he said.
The new Boardman store officially opens to the public on Aug. 11 at 1280 Doral Drive, which is still during Ohio’s tax-free holiday period and in time for back-to-school shopping.
“On Aug. 15, we’ll have a lot of great promotions and a line-up-to-win giveaway with lots of deals on items in store and our private brands,” Andonov said.
The grand opening starts at 8 a.m. Aug. 15 with gift card and merchandise giveaways planned through the rest of the weekend.
“Magellan, which is our outdoor fishing and hiking brand, even some camouflage for hunting, ends up being 50% off, along with BCG, which is our athletic gear and women’s athletic leisure, also all end up being 50% off for the grand opening deal,” Andonov said.
This is the fourth location Andonov has opened and the third Academy Sports + Outdoor location in Ohio.
“Our philosophy is that we want everyone to get out and play outside or do whatever they love and whether you’re an avid fisherman, a beginner or someone who maybe has never played soccer. We want to have something for you,” he said.
According to Andonov, Academy matches competitor prices by 5% and applies a ‘good-better-best’ model to helping customers find what works for their skill levels and budget.
“We’re value-driven and have such a high assortment; all three levels, whether it’s entry, you’ve already been doing it for a while, or you’ve been fishing Lake Erie for the last 30 years, we have something for you,” he said.
Andonov said some favorite doorbuster deals among new customers will be grills, canopies and the $7.99 Academy chairs, as well as water bottles and the new cherry blossom Yetis.
“Because we’re so close to lake here, we’re starting to learn that Boardman area, especially with all of the natural parks, has a lot of hiking area,” Andonov said. “We have a full trekking section, which we’ll go and see here in a second. We’re trying to dive into our markets, learn our community and really just try to support them as best as possible.”