Since Hibbett Sports opened last spring in the Chardon's Mapleleaf Plaza, business has gotten steadily better, said the store's head coach, Matt Cain."It helps that…
Since Hibbett Sports opened last spring in the Chardon’s Mapleleaf Plaza, business has gotten steadily better, said the store’s head coach, Matt Cain.
“It helps that we took over the gym,” he said.
Hibbett Sports is now in suite 226 at 540 Water Street, formerly occupied by Everybodies Gym, now located at 357 Washington Ave. in Chardon.
Because of the former tenant, people interested in sports and fitness automatically check out the storefront when driving through and naturally come in to look around, he said.
Having go-to businesses such as Peeble’s, Tractor Supply and Big Lots in the same shopping center gives the store visibility as well.
The 6,000-square-foot suite, filled with racks and shelves of colorful sports clothes and gear, is larger than the average company store, Cain said, which means a bigger inventory of name-brand items.
The Alabama-based sporting goods company office chose to open in Chardon because they like smaller markets, like Geauga County, that are often ignored by larger corporations, he said.
Being smaller than the big box stores, Hibbett Sports can offer individual customer service and Cain said he and his staff work to build relationships.
While much of Geauga is rural, Chardon bustles, which made it attractive as a business location, he said.
“It’s an active area,” Cain said, adding the store can serve customers from a number of high schools and fitness facilities.
He said prices are competitive with larger stores and he stocks for most income levels. Oakley sunglasses range in price up to $180, but next to the Oakley rack are shades for $16.
“It’s not just basic stuff. We carry the top of the line that people want to buy,” he said, such as Jordan and Nike.
While the store doesn’t discount high school sports team gear, they offer discounts on peripheral items such as shoes, Cain said.
Chardon is also the farthest north the growing company has expanded beyond the Akron area, he said, adding it was chosen partly because it is close to Cleveland, so day visitors might stop in.
Geauga residents attend games in Cleveland and root for the Cleveland Browns, the Cavaliers and other pro teams. If they support their teams, they often want to dress the part, which means sales for Cain.
It has added up to a pretty good start for Hibbett Sports.
“We were pretty busy in the summer, did a pretty good amount of business,” he said.
For more information, call Hibbett Sports, 440-285-7109.
