Dick’s to Open Third ‘House of Sport’ Concept Store
Dick’s Sporting Goods has begun hiring more than 200 associates for its third “House of Sport” experiential concept store opening this year in Minnetonka, Minnesota. The store concept was first introduced in April 2021 in Rochester, New York, then in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The newest store, like the first two, were designed to “explore the future of retail,” according to a recent media release from the retailer, through multi-sport experiences inside and outside of the store. This includes a 35-foot rock climbing wall, outdoor turf field and a batting cage to serve as a community hub connecting the greater Minneapolis community.
Slated to open in May 2022, the concept store aims to offer unique customer experiences as well as elevated services that will rely on employees who are passionate about sports, such as golf professionals, climbing wall experts, hockey ambassadors and other specialized roles to assist shoppers with the sport experiences, product and performance advice. More specifically, the store will also feature:
- A batting cage for baseball and softball leveraging HitTrax technology for performance simulation.
- A putting green and golf-hitting bays with TrackMan simulators.
- A "House of Cleats" merchandising installment that will seasonally rotate product.
- A health and wellness destination in the store where shoppers can find products and advice focused on recovery and well-being.
- A hockey shop and a consolidated service area dedicated to sharpening hockey skates, breaking in gloves, stringing lacrosse sticks and building and repairing bikes, among other services.
- Community programming such as sport clinics, rock climbing, summer camps, yoga classes and birthday parties.
- The latest gear for team sports, a vast selection of footwear, athletic apparel brands and quality equipment and apparel for outdoor activities and golf.
Dick’s House of Sport Minnetonka will also offer a 20,000-square-foot outdoor turf field and running track attached to the store. It will open later this year and will host open play, fitness and sports clinics, and practices for athletes of all ages. In the winter months, the field will convert to an ice-skating rink and offer open skate, skating lessons, stick and puck drills and games.