There’s a new sporting goods store in town, but it’s one of the very few native to Utah.
Al’s Sporting Goods is holding its grand opening celebration Thursday through Saturday at its new location on the east side of University Place in Orem. The 40,000-square-foot sporting goods store took the place of the former Sports Authority that closed after the chain shut doors at more than 100 stores across the nation.
Kris Larsen, owner and CEO of Al’s, said Orem is a great place for the business’ second location. Al’s Sporting Goods was founded in Logan in 1921 by Alvin Moroni Larsen. Kris Larsen explained that his grandfather Al borrowed the $500 needed to start the store using only a $10 Mexican coin as collateral and a handshake. His shop, originally called Al’s Bike, sold bicycles and fishing gear, expanding over the years to include a full line of sporting goods.
“Al was a great guy. I still have people come into the Logan store and tell me ‘I knew your grandpa, and he was a great guy,’” Kris Larsen said.
Larsen is ecstatic when talking about his store and the new Orem location. He loves sporting goods — cycling, golfing and hunting being his favorite sports. . . .