In a lineup of new businesses set to open over the next few months in the Eight Points Retail development area, Academy Sports + Outdoors was the next up to bat, officially opening their doors this past Monday.
Store Director Gene Hux said opening day was a great day for the store with a very good representation of the community stopping in for a visit.
"We had a great turnout," Hux said.
The past weekend was filled with promotions and activities for all ages to enjoy. On Friday, the first 250 customers received a free Academy T-shirt and from 1 -- 3 p.m. and $50 Academy gift cards were given away hourly. The giveaways did not stop there. On Saturday, the first 150 customers in line to show they followed Academy Sports + Outdoors on social media received a free mystery gift card valued between $20 and $500.
In addition to the giveaways, there was a fish tank for children, games, presentations from vendors and free samples.
Academy Sports + Outdoors carries a wide range of sporting items, hunting and fishing items, BBQ enthusiast products, workout gear and much more.
"If you can do it outside, we carry it," Hux said. "If you do it outside and we don't carry it, then you don't do it very often."
As well as the Academy brands of BCG and Magellan, they offer a wide variety of national brands including Nike, Under Armour and Yeti.
The Poplar Bluff location of Academy Sports + Outdoors differs from other stores in layout. Hux said one of the changes being made in the newer stores is the location of items, such as the bicycles on the front wall.
"We are always trying to find the most appealing layout to customers," Hux said.
Curtis and Brooke Hansen of Poplar Bluff said they wanted to come see the newest addition to Poplar Bluff and were most interested in the hunting section.
"We are pretty pumped about the store being open and not having to drive as far," Brooke said. She also added all the store employees were very friendly and helpful.
Brian Welker of Poplar Bluff said he was also interested in the hunting and fishing section.
"I have been waiting for the store to open for awhile," he said.
Molly Heady and son, Nolan, visited from Ellington to do a little clothes shopping and were very impressed.
"This [the location] is convenient for us and I think will draw people from a lot of the smaller towns," Molly said.
Academy Sports + Outdoors offers many conveniences for the customers, including selling Missouri and Arkansas hunting and fishing licenses, ordering products not in store and having them shipped to customers' homes and offering the assembly of products in home from the company, Assemblers, Inc.
After visiting the Cape Girardeau Academy Sports + Outdoors often, Janice Hancock of Fisk said she was really excited for a location closer to home. She said she buys a lot of fishing gear and clothing from Academy.
Hux also added Academy will have students covered for back to school needs when it comes to backpacks and clothing. And once the weather begins to cool off, the clothing and shoes will transition with the seasons.
Academy Sports + Outdoors is located at 3095 Oak Grove Road and open Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
"The Academy family is excited to be in Poplar Bluff and to provide another opportunity for sports and outdoor needs," Hux said.