2012.02.06
Confirmed: Sportsman’s Warehouse returning to Roanoke
Rumors started floating around a couple weeks ago that Sportsman’s Warehouse would be reopening its Roanoke location.
Those rumors were confirmed when the company recently added Roanoke to its map of store locations. Karen Seaman, the company’s chief marketing officer, left no doubt.
“We are returning to the area this spring and looking forward to reopening our store in Roanoke,” she wrote to me in an email earlier today.
According to the company’s website, the store, which is on Ferncliff Avenue near the Hersberger Road and I-581 interchange, will open on April 16, with a grand opening celebration on April 28.
I’m trying to connect with Seaman by phone for more details.
The Roanoke store was one of 23 the company closed in 2009 as part of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Fifteen stores were sold to a Canadian company. A cash investment from a venture capital company helped the company get back on its feet, and Sportsman’s Warehouse emerged from Chapter 11 in August of 2009.
Since word of the return of Sportman’s Warehouse has started getting around, I’ve heard from several people who were enthusiastic about the news. Even though the Roanoke store was open for less than two years, the store earned plenty of devoted fans.
That is great news about Sportsman’s Warehouse. I enjoy Gander Mountain, but it is always nice to have more choices of where to shop. There are not many local gun shops left, and having another place to purchase reloading supplies would be good. And having the 2 ‘big box stores’ somewhat near each other will hopefully help with competative pricing.
Comment by Brent — February 6, 2012 @ 2:44 pm
I can’t wait!!!!!! I used to go at least once a week and my wife likes the store as well. We always talk about missing SW because it was a down to earth place. I hope the folks who went Gander go back because they made that store. April can’t get here soon enough.
Comment by Happy Hunter — February 6, 2012 @ 2:45 pm
Thats outstanding news! I was really disappointed to se them close after such a short stay. Welcome back Sportsman’s!
Comment by Kevin — February 6, 2012 @ 3:38 pm
Man, that is some great news! I still get e-mails about specials. They still owned the building, so I was hoping they would come back. Gander Mountain is OK, but I always liked Sportsman’s better.
Comment by SloEddie — February 6, 2012 @ 3:39 pm
Great news! I always really liked that store. For a long time after they closed, I actually avoided the area because I hated seeing that empty building. I hope they stock the store like when they were here before. Can’t wait!
Comment by Ranger217 — February 6, 2012 @ 4:06 pm
Awesome!!!!! I miss Sportsmans very much!! So tired of the “generic” Gander Mountain!! Spoke with various other bass fanatics, and they are also exicted about SW coming back to Roanoke.
Comment by vtbazzin98 — February 6, 2012 @ 4:34 pm
Glad you confirmed It for sure. I posted about it on your Sunday hunting thread yesterday. Great news Indeed
Comment by Lee from NRV — February 6, 2012 @ 4:34 pm
Great News! I was impressed with the store, very good items, good prices.
Wiil be shopping there!!
Comment by Roy — February 6, 2012 @ 5:07 pm
Lee – Yes, I got the confirmation last week. Your scooping me yesterday is what I get for not putting something out there sooner!
Comment by Mark Taylor — February 6, 2012 @ 5:18 pm
That’s great.I hope they bring back most of the same employees,they were so easy to work with and knew what they were talking about.
Comment by Alfie — February 6, 2012 @ 8:36 pm
WooHoo! Reloading supplies and duck hunting supplies not to mention prices way lower then Gander.
Comment by TScottW — February 6, 2012 @ 9:51 pm
Thank you, thank you! I’m primarily a fly fisherman and it had a great selection and great prices. Orvis is good, but lacking in depth. Gander is a joke.
Comment by Doug — February 6, 2012 @ 11:35 pm
More jobs to the Valley! Good news all the way around.
Comment by Chuck Sharp — February 7, 2012 @ 8:14 am
Sportsmans Warehouse is the best thing to hit the Roanoke Valley for Outdoors folk. Better prices and it’s like shopping at a mom and pop’s store with friendly service.
Comment by Jim Ward — February 7, 2012 @ 9:06 am
Mark these errors to to publish are becoming annoying. How about adding a preview button so you don’t have to repost.
Comment by The Amatuer — February 7, 2012 @ 10:31 am
Best news I’ve heard in awhile!!!! I was in 2 of their stores out West this summer and I made a point to tell each manager that thier store in Roanoke was missed. I like thier approach: nothing fancy, quality gear, good prices.
Now if we could only get a Cabelas that’s just a little closer.
Comment by AppBrookie — February 7, 2012 @ 5:41 pm
Glad to see SW coming back to town. For their sake I wish they had a location more on the main drag like Gander Mountain. Hopefully word will spread and the store will be supported enough to stay. That building has seen its share of stores for the better part of 30 years. Hey AppBrookie, new Cabelas store opening this summer in Charleston, WV. Definitely not a bad place to take a day trip in the off season.
Comment by bird_dog07 — February 7, 2012 @ 9:55 pm
dude,that building is new….they built it specifically for SW.
Comment by josh laferty — February 9, 2012 @ 8:02 am
From Martinsville…….just called my husband with the news. He was so excited, he said he may just take a vacation day on April 16.
Comment by Brenda — February 9, 2012 @ 9:12 am
That’s great news, I could live in that store, that is as long as the wife will let me!!!
Comment by Randy Mays — February 9, 2012 @ 6:25 pm
I have to drive to Charleston WV for business occasionally but I would never go there otherwise. Not to mention at least $8.00 in tolls (12.00 if you hit all 3 tollbooths)round trip. Also, can’t buy any handguns there since it’s in WV. No thanks, I’d rather drive the same amount of time and go to Bass Pro in Richmond, also have Green Top right down the road. Cabelas doesn’t like the south, you can see that on there store location map. other than a store in La and a couple in Tx there are none.
Comment by SloEddie — February 10, 2012 @ 8:54 am