Sports Authority opens third location

Early opening brings crowd to new store

Think of it as playtime for shoppers. That's how The Sports Authority promoted the March 20 opening its latest store at 5120 S. Fort Apache Road, on the southeast corner of Tropicana Avenue.

The 6:30 a.m. opening didn't deter people.

"We hoped for a big turnout, about 400 people," said Eric Houston, manager. "But before we opened up, they were lined up outside the door all the way down to Lowe's."

Part of the reason was attributed to savvy promotion. The first 200 shoppers were given free door prizes, which turned out to be T-shirts.

Another give-away was for one lucky shopper's name to be drawn. The drawing will occur a few weeks after the grand opening and that winner will receive a store gift certificate worth $500.

While Houston planned on 400 people showing up, shoppers had their own ideas. An impressive 1,398 paying customers attended the opening.

Throughout the day, contests involving things like jumping rope and shooting basketballs were held. A yoga instructor, Meg Poulson, went through moves on a floor mat, showing shoppers how to do various moves.

Suzanne Sorel, a pastry cook who lives in the Willows, said it was great to have the store near her home as she and her husband enjoy activities like riding mountain bikes.

"I found these workout pants," she said, holding them up. "They're Capri style. I haven't seen them anywhere except here."

This marks the third store for The Sports Authority in Las Vegas. Houston said it's an upgraded concept, taking the warehouse look out of the mix to make the interior more retail in appearance. That decision was made halfway through the construction of the 37,000-square-foot space. Necessary changes were implemented before construction committed it to the original concept.

The store is in the Tropicana Beltway Shopping Center and, besides Lowe's, shares prominence with Ross, Wal-Mart and PetsMart. Until this store opened, the closest place shoppers could find The Sports Authority was at Decatur Boulevard and Sahara Avenue.


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