Destination sporting goods store set to open amidst local competition

TULSA, Okla. — The opening of sporting goods store Scheels at Woodland Hills Mall is nine days away.

The Tulsa location is the third largest Scheels and the 34th location in the nation.

"We are excited to be here in Tulsa and just open up our new store, bringing more of this to the community and then stepping to the community to be able to serve them outside through our community service and funding events," said J McCutcheon, Exercise Shop Manager for Scheels.

McCutcheon showed FOX23 the store, showing 75 different specialty shops and their unique attractions inside the store.

"... Scheels is a destination location. We have 75 different, what we call, specialty shops. We have something for everybody," said McCutcheon.

Scheels is located near 71st Street and Memorial Avenue in south Tulsa at the Woodland Hills Mall.

The new store will employ nearly 600 people.

"We are the third largest in all of the nation here. We are only getting beat by Texas because everything has to be bigger in Texas, but we're going to have the third largest fishing shop. We're actually going to be the number one bike shop in the nation, here in Tulsa," said McCutcheon.

White it is an outdoor and sporting goods store, McCutcheon said they do more than that.

"We do everything at a very high level, and we take value, and we take pride in what we do because what we do gives back to our community here in Tulsa," McCutcheon said.

He said the unique thing about Scheels, other than the Ferris Wheel, is they are employee owned.

McCutcheon said, "We're Tulsa Scheels. We are a part of the community, and we want to give back."

While Dick's Sporting Goods is under renovation at 71st Street and Mingo Avenue and R.E.I near 71st Street and Elwood Avenue is being built, the new Scheels is counting down the days until they open their doors.

Scheels is scheduled to open on October 19.

"Exciting, very exciting and it's a good thing we have competitive stores," said Tulsan Thang Sing.

R.E.I is scheduled to open on November 17.

FOX23 reached out to Dick's Sporting Goods to find out when their renovated store will open.

We will let you know when we hear back.