Take a Peek Inside: New Dick’s Sporting Goods Open in Cranberry

After months of construction, the new two-story Dick’s Sporting Goods at the Cranberry Crossroads retail plaza along Route 228 is open for business.

“We’ve had a fantastic turnout,” said store manager Tom Antle.

Although the store will hold its official grand opening Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony—plus visits from local professional athletes throughout the three-day weekend celebration—a soft opening took place Tuesday.

The event was intended for VIPs and corporate employees, but Antle said they didn’t turn away any customers curious about the store.

“It’s been awesome so far,” said fellow store manager Dan Fiegel.

Cranberry area residents agreed.

Joe Sanislo, a senior at Seneca Valley High School, and Grant Wehr, a student at Vincentian Academy in McCandless, stopped by the location Wednesday after class let out.

Both said they were excited to check out the store and to explore the new merchandise, which included Under Armour gear with the Seneca Valley and Pine-Richland logos.

“You’re able to find things much easier,” Sanislo said.

Though the Cranberry Patch Facebook page, reader Lisa Martin praised the store as beautiful, clean and colorful. She added her sons met Pittsburgh Penguins winger Matt Cooke at the store’s soft opening Tuesday—and even snagged his autograph.

“Love the selection,” she commented. “You can get an Under Armour shirt in almost any color. I was surprised there was nearly a whole aisle devoted to mouth guards. There are certainly a lot of choices.”

Antle said the 83,000 square-foot store offers an expansion of the merchandise offered at the store’s former location in the Cranberry Square mall on Route 19. That store, which remained open this week, was about 50,000 square feet, he said.

He noted a customer told him Wednesday the new Dick’s Sporting Goods is the only retailer in Cranberry to feature escalators inside the building.

“I had one customer say it looks like the eighth wonder of the world,” he said.

As for the former Cranberry Dick’s location, Antle said he was unaware of plans for the building at this time.

The ribbon cutting for the new store will take place at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19 with Cranberry Township manager Jerry Andree. Fiegel said anyone interested in having Steelers linebacker Larry Foote sign at autograph for them later that day must attend the ribbon-cutting to receive a wristband. There are 350 wristbands available, he said.

If you're planning to stop by the store, be sure to check out the appearance schedule throughout the three-day celebration.

Appearance Schedule

• Township manager Jerry Andree— 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19 for ribbon-cutting ceremony
• Steelers linebacker Larry Foote – 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19
• University of Pittsburgh Basketball Coach Jamie Dixon – 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20
• Sport Fisherman Skeet Reese – 12 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20
• Fly Fisherman Charles Meck – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20
• Pirates Second Baseman Neil Walker – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20
• Penguins Mascot “Iceburgh” – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20

What do you think of the new Dick’s Sporting Goods store? What do you think should move into its former location? Are you planning to attend any of the opening events? Tell us in the comment section below.