Sporting goods store Academy Sports + Outdoors is in the early stages of opening a store in Chesterfield, following the Short Pump store shown here that opened about a year and a half ago. (BizSense file)
A major chain of sporting goods stores appears to be eyeing a new location in the region after entering the market here in 2022.
Academy Sports + Outdoors is considering taking over 63,000 square feet of anchor space at Pocono Crossing Shopping Center in Midlothian, according to building permits filed with Chesterfield County.
The store at 10400 Midlothian Turnpike was previously occupied by the Burlington store, which has moved to 11609 Midlothian Turnpike in the Town Crossing Shopping Center, according to a recent Burlington news release.
The future opening date of the Academy Store is unknown. A spokesperson for the academy did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.
The Chesterfield store will be Academy's second location in the area, following its opening in summer 2022 at 11861 W. Broad St. in The Corner at Short Pump.
Burlington has relocated the store that previously operated at 10400 Midlothian Turnpike. The Pocono Crossing space is being highlighted by Academy Sports + Outdoors. (Jack Jacobs Photos)
Other tenants at Pocono Crossing include Chuck E. Cheese, Hong Kong King Buffet, Blue Streak Liquidation and Boost Mobile. The outer lots of the center are occupied by Kickback Jacks and Whistle Express Car Wash stores.
The Texas-based academy carries a wide selection of clothing, shoes, equipment and gear for sports and outdoor activities such as fishing and camping. It sells products from Nike, Yeti and The North Face, as well as its own private label brands such as Magellan Outdoors, Mosaic and Freely.
In addition to retail sales, Academy stores also offer complimentary services such as grill assembly, scope attachment to firearms, and fishing rod reeling. Academy locations sell hunting and fishing licenses.
The retail chain announced in late March that it plans to open 15 to 17 new stores in fiscal 2024, starting with stores in North Carolina and Indiana. The announcement did not include details about the plan in Virginia. The company has more than 280 stores in 18 states.
The Short Pump store is the brand's first location in Virginia, and it has since added locations in Christiansburg and Fredericksburg, according to the brand's website.
