Dick's Sporting Goods is set to leave its location in a well-liked mall for good in the next few weeks.
Because of this move, many shoppers were curious about whether the store would offer a clearance sale.
Dick's Sporting Goods Closing Meriden Mall Store
The sports shop at Meriden Mall, located about 20 miles south of Hartford in Meriden, Connecticut, is planning to close.
A notice placed outside the store revealed that it would shut its doors for the last time on April 20th, as reported by The Connecticut Scoop.
The sign simply stated, "We are closing."
Additionally, the message clarified that only the Meriden Mall location is closing, while other stores will remain open.
With the upcoming closure of Dick's Sporting Goods, the mall will be left with just one traditional major store, Boscov's. There were plans for Yale New Haven to open a new medical center in the space previously occupied by Macy's, but the idea for a dinner theater to take over several empty spots in the mall has been canceled.
Dick's Sporting Goods is the latest in a series of stores to leave the mall, following the exits of Forever 21 and Praline. Over the past few years, the mall has seen the departure of several key retailers, including Best Buy, Sears, Macy's, H&M, Ulta, and Old Navy, with Ulta and Old Navy relocating to the nearby Townline Square.
The mall, which is owned by Namdar Realty Group, which is also responsible for Trumbull Mall, Enfield Mall, and Crystal Mall, is facing significant challenges in retaining its tenants.
Meriden Mall Sees Dick's Sporting Goods Close
"Please shop for all your sporting goods needs at these nearby locations or visit Dicks.com," a sign at the mall instructed shoppers. This store, which has been a part of the mall since 2005, is now closing its doors.
The Meriden Economic Development Director, Joseph Feest, expressed disappointment at the closure. "I am disappointed to see them go as they have been a fixture at the mall for many years," Feest said, adding a personal note of regret, "I'm sorry to see her go."
The local community and shoppers have been vocal about the closure, sharing their thoughts and hopes for discounts on a Facebook post. Amidst concerns over retail crime, which the CEO of Dick's Sporting Goods described as "alarming" following a series of thefts, locals are pondering the possibility of a clearance sale.
"Are they going to release it?" one person queried, while another hinted at potential bargains: "If boys need stuff, there might be some good sales."
Many shared their reasons for missing the store, with one person saying, "It was so convenient. I'm so sad!!!!" This departure leaves the mall with just one anchor store left.
DICK'S Sporting Goods began in 1948 in Binghamton, New York, founded by 18-year-old Dick Stack. Initially working at an Army surplus store, Stack proposed ideas for a fishing tackle business but was dismissed as inexperienced. Distraught, he shared the ordeal with his grandmother, who offered her life savings of $300 to start his store.
Stack's determination led him to open a bait-and-tackle shop, which he expanded in the late 1970s to offer a wide range of sporting goods, laying the foundation for today's DICK'S Sporting Goods stores.
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