Dick’s House of Sport large-format store, concept image. (Dick’s Sporting Goods)
SAN JOSE — Dick’s Sporting Goods aims to relocate to the fire-scorched site of a former Home Depot in South San Jose as part of a wide-ranging redevelopment of the property, according to papers filed with the San Jose Planning Department.
A fire heavily damaged the Home Depot at 920 Blossom Hill Road in April 2022. Investigators ruled it was caused by an arsonist.
The building totals roughly 99,000 square feet, according to the filing. The existing Dick’s Sporting Goods site at 680 Blossom Hill Road totals roughly 40,000 square feet.
The size of the proposed Dick’s Sporting Goods store would be in the range of a large-format retail hub known as House of Sport.
“House of Sport is a 100,000-square-foot-plus store that provides athletes with an incredible assortment of products along with in-store experiences,” Dick’s Sporting Goods states on its website. “House of Sport stores also focus on deep integration with the local community through partnerships and events. Some locations have a field attached to the store that can be used for open play, clinics, league space, or as an ice rink in the winter.”
The experiences typically can include “a climbing wall, multiple golf bays with TrackMan simulators, and multisport cages that can be used for baseball, softball, lacrosse and soccer,” the retailer states.
“Dick’s House of Sport is redefining sports retail,” Lauren Hobart, chief executive officer of Dick’s Sporting Goods, stated in a conference call with analysts in March 2023. “It is an experience that fosters deep community involvement that goes well beyond traditional retail.”
Dick’s Sporting Goods is planning significant upgrades both inside and outside the existing former Home Depot structure, without expanding the square footage.
The work would include a demolition of the interior walls, lights, and doors, city files show.
Exterior work would include a canopy removal, new light fixtures, painting, cladding, and landscaping. Upgrades are planned for mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire protection, and fire alarm systems, plans show.
The time frame to complete the work or to open the store wasn’t immediately known.