Academy Sports + Outdoors nears Kingsport opening

KINGSPORT — After over six months of construction and demolition work, Academy Sport + Outdoors will soon open at the Kingsport Pavilion.The store will welcome visitors starting Monday, Sept. 16 at 9 a.m. This will be the 14th Academy to open in Tennessee, and the second for the Tri-Cities region.Located at the former Dick's Sporting Goods spot, the 45,000 square foot retail facility will offer hunting, fishing and camping gear, as well as sport leisure products, footwear and apparel. More than 60 new jobs were brought to the area through the new business, according to a previous news release.At the Kingsport location, Academy will offer hunting and fishing license pick-up, propane tank exchange program, reel line spooling, bore sighting, scope mounting, as well as product delivery and assembly.Cole Duplantis, store director, spoke to some of the offerings at the Kingsport Academy Sport + Outdoors."At our customer service counter, you're able to get your hunting license and fishing license," Duplantis said. "Then we'll also do our internet service, so you can order online, come on out here to register one and get you situated with your online order."He said the store will be able to fulfill all kinds of athletic and outdoor needs, ranging from school sports to grilling.BackgroundAfter a demolition permit was filed back in February, a repair/remodel permit was approved in March to make way for the store. The estimated job cost for the demolition was $93,600, according to city permit records.The last permit filed for the business was on Aug. 16 for new signage at the Kingsport Pavilion.T.D. Farrell Construction, a Georgia-based general contractor, completed the project.Looking aheadA series of grand opening events will be held Sept. 20 through Sept. 22. The store will be offering giveaways, demonstrations and more.For more information about the store, visit academy.com/kingsport.Academy Sport + Outdoors officially opens Sept. 16Address: 2626 E Stone Dr., Kingsport, TN 37660Grand opening weekend celebration activities will run from Sept. 20 through Sept. 22. For more details, visit https://www.facebook.com/share/iBPrYC4ZsujEFSrP/.Store hours:Sunday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.Friday 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.Saturday 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.