Academy Sports + Outdoors opens near Madison
A sign welcoming Madison residents to the store. Academy Sports + Outdoors opened on April 26. (RECORD PHOTO/ALDO AMATO)
By Aldo Amato
HUNTSVILLE — The wait is over for a new addition to Madison County.
Academy Sports + Outdoors opened its west Huntsville store on April 26 at 7506 Hwy-72 West. It is the company’s 161st store and the first one in Madison County.
“We’re very excited about this convenient new location in Madison,” Kevin Chapman, executive vice president of stores, said in a statement. “We look forward to being an active member of the community for years to come.”
An outside view of the store. (ALDO AMATO)
Hunting, fishing and camping equipment and gear along with sports and leisure products, footwear and apparel all line the shelves of the new location. National companies and products are all represented. However local schools also play a part at Academy. Shirts from Bob Jones and James Clemens High School are available for purchase.
“We try to keep a local aspect of the community in place,” Senior Communications Coordinator Eric Herrera said.
The store hosted 30 children from the Boys & Girls Club of North Alabama and donated $100 gift cards to each child to go on a private shopping spree with store associates making them the first ever to shop at the store.
The store is about 72,000 square feet and was developed by GBT out of Brentwood, Tenn. Herrera said some of the newer features include an archery lane, an interactive golf range and an updated shoe section.
The Bob Jones/James Clemens rivalry on display at Academy Sports + Outdoors. (ALDO AMATO)
The store will host a three-day grand opening celebration on May 10 that will include plenty of giveaways.The first 100 shoppers will receive a free pair of Crocs that Friday morning. Herrera said $500 Academy gift cards, free fishing for kids and more will be available that weekend.
This is the 13th store located in Alabama. Other locations include Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and one in Decatur, the closest store before the new location opened.
Fore more information on products, store hours and events, visit www.academy.com.
