With every small business comes a really cool story. When I first read the story submitted by Center Sports of Worthington MN and Sioux City, IA. I was really excited (I am a huge history nerd) to share it with all of my readers.
“It was in 1937, with the improved economical climate following the Great Depression, that two entrepreneurs, Bill Dingler and Harold Boelter, opened a sporting goods store in downtown Worthington, MN, a small farm town in Southwest Minnesota, about an hour east of Sioux Falls, SD. The store changed owners and names over the years, but what remained constant was a friendly sales staff offering quality retail and team sporting goods at competitive prices. In 1971, Harlan Handevidt joined what was then known as Bob Lundgren Sporting Goods, working in Sales and as Retail Manager. In 1985, Harlan and his wife Pam purchased the store from Bob Lundgren, and in 1992, the Handevidts expanded their business to a second location in the Centre Mall in Sioux Center, Iowa. In 1995, the Worthington store made a move to a new downtown location on 10th Street, nearly tripling their retail space. Through the years, the store has expanded into many areas of the sporting goods business and today is one of the largest suppliers in the area. The store services over 60 schools and recreation departments throughout Southwestern Minnesota and Northwestern Iowa. Team uniforms, protective equipment, and physical education supplies are but a few of the areas covered by the business.
Retail sales and services include athletic shoes, equipment, and apparel for many local athletic teams and individuals. Licensed Products are also available at Center Sports. A large selection of gifts and novelty items are carried for many teams, including the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, University of Minnesota, University of Iowa, and Iowa State.
Trophies and awards are also available at Center Sports, with on-site engraving services. In-stock trophies and plaques provide the customer with many award choices and speedy service. Other services available are racquet restringing, bat re-gripping, golf club repair, and ball glove re-lacing.
They have what you need! Center Sports offers a full-service screen printing shop. We are able to print team uniforms, tee shirts, and sweatshirts for area teams and businesses. They have a creative staff who love doing custom designs. Special orders are welcomed and encouraged at Center Sports. In addition to the large inventory on hand and a network of other dealers, memberships in Sports Inc. and the National Sporting Goods Association provide ample opportunity for special requests to be filled, and the ability to compete price-wise with nationwide chains.
Almost 75 years after our founding, we are now solidly in a digital age. And Center Sports, your hometown retail and team sporting goods store, is proud to bring you our revamped website.
We strive to keep pace with the times, and the friendly service and quality goods are just like they have always been!”
** CENTER SPORTS ELF ON THE SHELF-WEEK 2:
Over and Under the Armour he sits,
You will know the little Vike when you see him
Hiding by the apparel that perfectly fits
and has the most amazing trim!
***Stop in one of our stores, find the elf, and enter for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate (one from each store) each week in December.***
Store Stats
Location: 316 10th Street, Worthington, MN
REGULAR HOURS:
MON, WED, THURS: 8:30am – 6:00pm
TUES, FRI: 8:30am – 7:00pm
SAT: 8:30am – 5:00pm
HOLIDAY HOURS:
M-F 8:30am – 7:00pm
SAT 8:30am – 5:00pm
Christmas Eve: Closing at 3:00pm
Christmas Day: Closed
Phone 507-376-3663
Social Media View Website
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