By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com
ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — A local sporting goods store will open a new, 12,000-square-foot store next week, consolidating its retail and lettering operations.
Steve Reichert, owner of Sports and Sports, said he is closing the store at 1214 Lake Ave. in the Ashtabula harbor, and the 3400 N. Ridge E. store across from Ashtabula Towne Square.
The new, bigger store, at 3600 N. Ridge E., will open Wednesday.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 20, said Jim Timonere, president of the Ashtabula Area Chamber of Commerce.
Reichert looked at a lot of sites before selecting the property across from Wal-Mart. Local land developer Ron Kister built the store.
The original Sports and Sports store opened in 1983 in Madison, and expanded in 1987 to Ashtabula. Timonere once worked for Reichert.
With the goal of consolidating the production and retail operations under one roof, Sports and Sports will now expand the retail store, offering more in tennis, swim suits and licensed goods, including Browns and Steelers merchandise.
They will be able to manufacture full-color, digitally produced banners, stickers, static clings and more. The installation of a new automatic screen print press will allow Sports and Sports to print up to 30 dozen t-shirts per hour. They also will continue to offer embroidery and lettering options for businesses and teams.
The owner of Sports and Sports for 26 years, Reichert employs 16 people. He hopes the expansion will allow him to eventually hire more employees.
