The first Sportsman’s Warehouse in Southwest Florida launches Wednesday in North Naples.
It’s only the fourth store in Florida for the Utah-based retailer of outdoor specialty goods with more than 130 locations throughout 30 states.
The North Naples store, 6329 Naples Blvd., formerly was home to Florida Motorsports between Best Buy and Kohl’s near Costco and Lowe’s. The new 30,000-square-foot store will stock an inventory of more than 60,000 items with gear, clothing and seasonal accessories for backpacking, boating, camping, fishing, hunting and shooting.
The grand opening celebration for the store is 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 2-4 but the new location will begin its soft opening Wednesday, said Chuck Richards, a regional general manager for Sportsman’s Warehouse.
“Our Lady Lake, Jacksonville and Seminole stores in Florida have proven to be popular, so we look forward to introducing our brand to Naples as part of our overall expansion strategy in the South,” Richards said via a company news release. “With year-round warm weather and close proximity to the Gulf Coast, local area residents will now have easy access to the fresh and saltwater fishing gear and accessories they need along with outstanding shooting, camping and hiking items.”
On each day of the grand opening celebration, the first 200 customers in line will receive a complimentary Sportsman’s Warehouse hat and gift card, one per family. Customers can enter a sweepstakes to win gift cards and items such as binoculars, guns, knives and a Yeti cooler. Special discounts will be available and brand representatives will have giveaways, product demonstrations and exclusive offers at the store.
Known as “America’s Premier Outfitter,” Sportsman’s Warehouse was founded in 1986. The brand’s mission is to “provide outstanding gear and exceptional service to inspire outdoor memories” and its trademark slogan became “Gear Up for Unforgettable.”
Along with its goal of offering customers knowledge, selection and value, Sportsman’s Warehouse provides information, workshops and training to get the most out of life outdoors. It also sponsors events to preserve the natural beauty of the environment.
“As stewards of the outdoors, Sportsman’s Warehouse has always been committed to the conservation of our lands and are proud to partner with the local communities that we serve,” President and CEO Jon Barker said last fall after its “Maintain the Terrain” community volunteer cleanup events.
The company bounced back from tough times during the global Great Recession. After filing Chapter 11 in spring 2009, Sportsman’s Warehouse eventually emerged from bankruptcy protection. Common stock of Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings Inc. started trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market in 2014.
COVID-19 then locked down business as normal in 2020 but, while the pandemic had a negative impact on many retailers, Sportsman’s Warehouse benefited from greater demand for outdoor apparel and camping supplies as new enthusiasts ventured outdoors for personal pursuits. Later that year, Sportsman’s Warehouse attracted the attention of competitors in its market. Unfavorable feedback from the Federal Trade Commission, though, ended the company’s merger agreement in 2021 with Great American Outdoors Group, the parent company of competitors Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s.
The Florida stores for the fast-growing Sportsman’s Warehouse were launched in the last couple of years. Its first store in Florida opened in 2021 in Lady Lake. Its Seminole and North Jacksonville stores just opened in 2022.
“As we look to fiscal year 2023, we expect to accelerate the growth of our fleet and currently anticipate opening between 13 and 18 new stores during the year. This would be the highest number of new stores opened in a single year,” Sportsman’s Warehouse reported in December as part of its third-quarter financial results.
