For the first time in recent years, Charleston has its own sporting goods store.

Hibbett’s, a chain store known throughout the southern part of the state, opened last fall, giving area shoppers a place to find their favorite team apparel and the gear they need to play their favorite sports. Hibbett’s is located in the new strip mall next to Wal-Mart.

“There hasn’t been a store here in awhile. Years ago there was a sporting goods store at the Square,” said Cindy Titus, executive director of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce.

The chain, which has over 360 stores, came to Charleston mainly because of the college campus and because of the lack of sport stores in the area.

“There was no other sport store within a 30-35 mile radius that could compare with prices in other places,” store manager/head coach Mark Stremming said.

Popular items so far have been NFL jerseys and other college apparel, especially Eastern items. However, there is other merchandise that the store tries to market.

“They really push fitness this year, and shoes,” Stremming said.

In 2001, Hibbett’s had opened 28 new stores and this year the chain hopes to expand even further, Stremming noted. With new stores opening, the store managers are usually asked to go help with the opening.

“We have one opening up in Greencastle, Ind. and they asked the head coaches/managers to help,” Stremming said.

Although the store has been open since October, Stremming said many people do not know about it or haven’t been there.

“I’m still hearing that they’ve never been here and never knew we were here. It’s picking up,” Stremming said, but the head coach is holding out hope that if you built it they will come.

“Comparable prices with other sport stores and a big variety of merchandise,” that’s what will attract customers, Stremming said.