Okemos - Galyan’s Sports and Outdoor Adventure store opened in Meridian Mall with a sports-themed extravaganza.
The sporting-goods chain hosted a four-day celebration to honor its 29th store opening. Sports stars, rock-climbing, a putting green and a variety of games were on hand for eager shoppers.
The weekend-long festivities started Thursday with a tailgate preview party held for community VIPs, chamber of commerce members and friends and family of associates. The event also was open to the public, as Pushing 33 provided the music and former MSU basketball star Morris Peterson signed autographs.
Friday’s activities kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with appearances by Galyan’s CEO Robert Mang, athletics director Ron Mason, football coach Bobby Williams and new ice hockey coach Rick Comely.
Former Detroit Red Wing and Hockey Hall of Famer Alex Delvecchio also was on hand to sign autographs. Joining Peterson and Delvecchio were hockey legend Gordie Howe on Saturday and former Spartan great Kirk Gibson on Sunday.
According Galayn officials, the extravagance of the grand opening fit the store’s genre.
“Bottom line, it is a lifestyle store,” said Galyan’s media relations coordinator Steve Roehr. “We cater to people who are active. It’s all about an active lifestyle.”
And the store helps support such lifestyles by offering equipment for everything ranging from football to Ping-Pong to fishing. And with guest appearances by Olympic Gold Medalist Gymnast Dominique Dawes, U.S. World Team table tennis member Scott Preiss and professional bass fisherman Bill Vavrina, the grand opening celebration showed off a wide-variety of the lifestyles the store helps to support.
“There have been a lot of people waiting for this,” Galyan’s spokesman Joan Hurley said. “It’s a fun weekend with something for everyone.”
Roehr said choosing the Okemos location was simple, adding the large turnout was exactly what they expected. He said the mall is a viable shopping district and the close proximity to MSU created a perfect fit.
The biggest attraction was the 45-foot climbing wall, which was free to anyone willing to give it a try. Hurley said the wall was intended to provide kids something fun, but said it was good to see people of all ages taking part.
“I said to my kids it was going to be hard, but I went anyway,” Lansing resident Tina Crawford said. “I thought I could make it to the top, but it was tough to find placement.”
But not making it to the peak didn’t dampen any of the fun, Crawford said. And even nonsports fans enjoyed the store.
“I’m not much into sports or anything like that,” said East Lansing resident Elizabeth Thompson, who added the two-level store had “good selection and prices.”
For those who missed out on the fun, Galyan’s is extending the festivities through next weekend. Friday, Saturday and Sunday will feature activities such as a Meridian Mall fashion show, a kids climbing competition and appearances by comic-strip character Garfield and Ted St. Martin, who holds the World Record for free-throw shooting.
