Sprawling New Sporting Goods Store Opens On Upper East Side

Upper East Side NY

31 May, 2022

1:12 PM

Description

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — The Upper East Side's latest big retail opening isn't a clothing store or a bookshop: it's a large purveyor of sporting goods. On Thursday, Wilson Sporting Goods opened its new 8,000-square-foot store on Third Avenue between East 85th and 86th streets, in the storefront formerly occupied by Urban Outfitters. This is only the third brick-and-mortar location for the company, better known for manufacturing basketballs and tennis rackets than for its walk-in stores. Spread across two floors, the Third Avenue shop also includes a multi-use court on the lower level where customers can test out products like baseballs, basketballs or volleyballs before making a purchase. (Rental fees range from $5 to 10, with that fee deducted from the price if purchased.) The "equipment room" at Wilson's new Third Avenue store allows customers to test out products. (Courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods) Wilson opened a flagship store in SoHo in January, following its first-ever retail store in Chicago last year. A third New York City store will open at Columbus Circle in June. Other in-store amenities at the Third Avenue location include a "full-time racket stringing maestro," a customizable baseball glove feature and a golf simulator. A "field day" on Sunday, June 5, will feature outfit giveaways and activities at the new store, and at nearby Asphalt Green. The store will be open daily, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sundays. A display at Wilson's new Third Avenue location. (Wilson Sporting Goods) "New York continues to be a priority market for Wilson as we expand our retail footprint," said Gordon Devin, the company's president and general manager, in a statement. "From permanent retail locations to pop-ups, we will celebrate athletes of all levels and offer them the best of Wilson, ranging from premium products to curated experience."