Fresno’s Fashion Fair mall was teasing a new anchor tenant, going all the way back to last December.
It was hushed on actual details, but it did offer clues, in the form of a massive window sign that read, “Get ready for a gamechanger.”
It was a clever bit of wordplay, given the mall’s eventual announcement it had signed Dick’s Sporting Goods to bring its new experience-driven concept store to Fresno. It would be one of the company’s first in California.
On Monday, the shopping center laid out new details and a timeline for Dick’s House of Sport, which is under construction now at the site of what was once Weinstock’s department store. That building was recently razed to make way for a 120,000-square-foot, two-level store that “redefines how customers shop for athletic gear through hands-on experiences.”
What is Dick’s House of Sport?
This is Dick’s Sporting Goods version of Bass Pro Shops. Whether its track cleats or climbing shoes, a baseball bat or golf club, it’s a test-before-you-buy scenario.
Among the features planned at the Fresno store:
A rock climbing wallMultiple golf bays with built-in TrackMan simulators.A multi-sports-cage; for baseball, softball, lacrosse and soccer (this being Fresno).A multi-use track and field.
According to its website, Dick’s House of Sport also has service pros on site; to get a baseball or softball glove game-ready, for example. Or, fitting or re-gripping golf clubs and the like.
But service and retail aside, the shops are designed as community third spaces; hostings sports clinics, special events and other programming for athletes. There is potential for meet-and-greets. The company’s Knoxville store had an Adidas event with University of Tennessee athletes and the rock band Judah and the Lion. Pittsburgh Pirates Konnor Griffin was at the grand opening of Dick’s House of Sport in Greensburg, PA.
When to expect a Fresno grand opening?
Fresno’s grand opening is still a ways off.
The store is slated to open in late 2027 or early 2028, the mall said in its statement Monday.
“This development marks an important step forward for Fashion Fair and the Central Valley,” according to general manager Joey Elliot. “The arrival of Dick’s House of Sport allows us to set the stage for the center’s continued elevation and transformation.”
The construction is happening as Fashion Fair continues with a series of improvements and upgrades to indoor and outdoor spaces. Think, updated landscaping, modern seating, new flooring.
And Dick’s is one of several recently-announced new tenants. Others include food spots (Seoul Meat Co., a sit-down Korean barbecue spot with all-you-can-eat options; Mong Q, a Mongolian barbecue chain, and a Filipino french fry franchise called Potato Corner) and recreation (the Escape-room franchise Escapology is “coming soon” according to its website).
The Fresno Bee
Joshua Tehee covers breaking news for The Fresno Bee, writing on a wide range of topics from police, politics and weather, to arts and entertainment in the Central Valley.