Customers flock to Sportman’s opening

Frontiersman

WASILLA — Valley sporting enthusiasts were like kids in a candy superstore Saturday morning for the grand opening of Sportsman’s Warehouse.

Visitors were led to the new retail sporting goods outlet by the glow of its green neon lights. Under the haze of the Sportsman’s Warehouse illuminated sign, the company officially opened its doors to Valley customers with an early-morning grand opening ceremony along the Parks Highway.

“We’re really happy to be here,” store manager Steve McVeigh said. “I hope we can satisfy the needs of Matanuska Valley.”

Customers stood shoulder to shoulder in the entryway of the 60,000-square-foot building, eagerly awaiting a chance to browse the isles. Within minutes of being released into the store, hundreds of people began to fill shopping carts with a variety of sporting goods and products.

Debby Jones wandered through the aisles looking at coolers and clothing. Although she browsed through the merchandise patiently, she said one of the main reasons for attending the 8:30 a.m. opening was to get one of the free coffee mugs the company gave away, along with hats and $10 gift cards.

“I just wanted to see what the store looked like and get free stuff,” Jones said.

Along with free promotional giveaways, Jones ventured into the store to buy some new clothes. Although she could purchase clothing at a department store, she prefers a different style that is available at big box retailers.

“I think it’s awesome,” Jones said. “We’ve needed something like this out here.”

Stuart Utgaard, chairman and chief executive officer of Sportsman’s Warehouse, said the company originally planned to build a store in Wasilla at the same time it built its Anchorage outlet. Although the company delayed plans for Wasilla, it always retained an interest in opening a Mat-Su Valley location because of growth in the area and a high number of local people interested outdoors recreation.

“We decided to invest in Wasilla when other people wouldn’t,” Utgaard said.

Not only is Sportsman’s Warehouse investing in Wasilla, the company will have a total of 67 stores nationwide by the time turkeys hit the table for Thanksgiving.

Cheryl Metiva, executive director of the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, compared the drive to Sportsman’s to the morning after Thanksgiving. With so many cars pulling into one store, she said it felt like she was on her way to a post-Thanksgiving sale. Overall, Metiva said Sportsman’s Warehouse will be welcome addition to Wasilla because it is a quality company that believes in giving back to the community.

Sportsman’s Warehouse donates time, money and products to various nonprofit organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, McVeigh said. The company is also looking to increase its local conservation efforts by becoming involved with the Moose Federation.

Sportsman’s Warehouse has more than 100,000 fishing lures and 1,000 firearms on display at the new store, McVeigh said. Possibly the least expensive item in the store is a 90-cent lure and the most expensive would be one of the firearms in the $10,000 range.