Dicks Sporting Goods closing in Kingsport (Johnson City, Bristol: sales, 2014, home)

[sprintuser2014]

I just heard from a very reliable source that Dicks Sporting Goods will be closing in January in Kingsport. So it looks like Kingsport once again is losing another business.

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by sprintuser2014

I just heard from a very reliable source that Dicks Sporting Goods will be closing in January in Kingsport. So it looks like Kingsport once again is losing another business.

That says more about Dick's than Kingsport IMO.

This area is just awash in sporting goods stores. Between Dick's (three of them), Dunham's, Hibbett, and Academy Sports, that's a lot of sporting good stuff. There is also some crossover between Dick's and places like Mahoney's and Bass Pro Shop.

While the area is a big market for that, I don't know how Dick's can justify a store in each city, when Dunham in Kingsport is better.

[cooldiver]

Only 14 miles from the Dick's in Kingsport to the one in Bristol.


I wonder if these stores are on the list of Dick's locations that have discontinued the sale of firearms.

[sprintuser2014]

It’s now been confirmed via the news. The store closes January 3rd.

https://wcyb.com/news/local/dicks-sp...lose-january-3

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by Serious Conversation

That says more about Dick's than Kingsport IMO.

This area is just awash in sporting goods stores. Between Dick's (three of them), Dunham's, Hibbett, and Academy Sports, that's a lot of sporting good stuff. There is also some crossover between Dick's and places like Mahoney's and Bass Pro Shop.

While the area is a big market for that, I don't know how Dick's can justify a store in each city, when Dunham in Kingsport is better.

This, 100%. The tri-cities area is flooded with sporting goods stores.

I was surprised Dick's lasted so long in the Kingsport location.

As you mentioned, there are so many sporting goods stores already in the area, to choose from.

However, this is a bad sign for the future of the Kingsport Pavilion. Eventually, I think Target will start to desire a better location, and Kingsport better hope they don't close up shop entirely. I think the one thing that keeps the Target store thriving in Kingsport though is that the one in Johnson City is older and smaller (for now) and the one in Bristol is just too far to travel to, and the specific area that the Bristol Target is in is also declining fast.

Does anyone know if the development signs are still up on Stone Drive on the vacant land for "Kingsport Pavilion Phase Ii"? If so, I don't know what those developers are smoking, but that is a failed concept already. The original Pavilion is bleeding stores and its future is starting to look bleak.

Now they want to open a whole new phase II strip mall? This is a concept based on "a 1995 mentality" of shopping centers. LOL

With e-commerce going strong, Kingsport fading as a shopping destination and the Pavilion declining, this concept for building a 2nd phase is ludicrous.

[Serious Conversation]

I didn’t see those signs and I drove by there today. With all the vacant retail space in the city, no need to really build more.

[VinceTheExplorer]

Originally Posted by jjbradleynyc

This, 100%. The tri-cities area is flooded with sporting goods stores.

I was surprised Dick's lasted so long in the Kingsport location.

As you mentioned, there are so many sporting goods stores already in the area, to choose from.

However, this is a bad sign for the future of the Kingsport Pavilion. Eventually, I think Target will start to desire a better location, and Kingsport better hope they don't close up shop entirely. I think the one thing that keeps the Target store thriving in Kingsport though is that the one in Johnson City is older and smaller (for now) and the one in Bristol is just too far to travel to, and the specific area that the Bristol Target is in is also declining fast.

Does anyone know if the development signs are still up on Stone Drive on the vacant land for "Kingsport Pavilion Phase Ii"? If so, I don't know what those developers are smoking, but that is a failed concept already. The original Pavilion is bleeding stores and its future is starting to look bleak.

Now they want to open a whole new phase II strip mall? This is a concept based on "a 1995 mentality" of shopping centers. LOL

With e-commerce going strong, Kingsport fading as a shopping destination and the Pavilion declining, this concept for building a 2nd phase is ludicrous.

Not sure what the hype has ever been over Target. Their stores seem to be borderline dingy now and seem like a modern day version of a K-Mart or Sears. Poor customer service, cheaply made merchandise and over inflated prices.

The more I visit the less I’m impressed, and not just with the one in JC or Kingsport.

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by Serious Conversation

I didn’t see those signs and I drove by there today. With all the vacant retail space in the city, no need to really build more.

Ah, ok, good to know.

That would be a huge waste and hopefully the developers now can see that.

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by VinceTheExplorer

Not sure what the hype has ever been over Target. Their stores seem to be borderline dingy now and seem like a modern day version of a K-Mart or Sears. Poor customer service, cheaply made merchandise and over inflated prices.

The more I visit the less I’m impressed, and not just with the one in JC or Kingsport.

Target offers a bit of a branding and marketing directed towards higher-earning demographics, with Target engaging with the top designers, top marketers and top decorators to deliver lower cost and somewhat trendier goods (especially with home and decorative products).

The experience going there for many is a bit nicer than Walmart is, or K-Mart ever was.

Now the latest thing with Target is their development of "smaller urban stores." In some cases, about the size of a larger Walgreens. There are 5 or 6 here in Manhattan now, and expanding.

[jabogitlu]

When I worked for Target in Johnson City, the Kingsport location often beat our sales numbers. Bristol lagged far behind. That was 2007-2011, so things may have changed somewhat, but Kingsport Target was a relative powerhouse in that era.

JJ, I'm curious about your take on the urban Targets. We have a tiny one here in Seattle (U District) and I have never been able to find anything I need when I go there. It's just... a very odd selection. We also have a somewhat larger urban format (Ballard) that has a decent selection, and then a true large urban store (downtown) that carries most or all of the range of goods.

Maybe I need to start thinking of the small format as a Walgreens-lite, like you said.