Scheels Makes Arizona Debut at Macerich Mall

The grand opening of Scheels’ latest location. Image courtesy of Macerich

Scheels, an employee-owned sporting goods retail chain, has opened its first location in Arizona. The company’s latest outpost will be located at the Chandler Fashion Center, a 1 million-square-foot shopping center located in the city of the same name.

The store occupies two levels totaling 250,000 square feet at the shopping center, which is owned and operated by Macerich, a publicly traded retail REIT.

According to a statement from Scheels, the store is its 32nd location in its 15th state and is expected to employ more than 400 workers. The Chandler location, complete with its own entrance, combines the group’s sportswear and equipment, as well as its hunting and fishing products with similar entertainment offerings to other Scheels locations. At the Chandler location, customers will have access to a Ferris wheel, taxidermy mountain and arcade, alongside a café and candy shop.

The Chandler Fashion Center’s fit-outs

Shoppers tour the newly-opened store. Image courtesy of Macerich

According to CommercialEdge information, the Chandler Fashion Center was built in 2001, and spans 20 buildings spread over 63 acres. Presently, Lindsey Crooks, a specialty leasing manager at Macerich, handles leasing at the property.

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As its name suggests, the mall is home to a number of clothing stores, including lululemon, Urban Outfitters and Forever 21. In total, the mall features more than 180 retailers. Scheels’ larger neighbors at the mall include Macy’s, Dillard’s, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy and Harkins Theatres. The Minnesota-based retailer’s latest shop comes online around the same time as new stores from Miniso and Chocolate Bash.

Sitting within half a mile of an onramp to Arizona State Route 101 and Loop 202, the Chandler Fashion center provides quick highway access to much of Maricopa County, while downtown Phoenix lies 14 miles northwest.

Retail revamp

Earlier this year, Macerich acquired the remaining ownership stake in five former Sears stores, one of which is located at the Chandler Fashion Center. At this location, the firm plans to lease the space to a mix of traditional retail tenants, alongside restaurants and entertainment businesses. That announcement and the opening of Scheels takes place as shopping mall owners and operators nationwide invest in projects that integrate entertainment and hospitality components.

Around Phoenix, many recent retail developments have included sizeable entertainment components. In July, a joint venture between Vesatar and DMB Associates began the development of Verrado Marketplace, a 512,000-square-foot shopping center that will include public performance areas and a gym. Six months prior, the historic Microcenter Mall began an $850 million ground-up redevelopment to include affordable housing and 150,000 square feet of commercial space. When completed, the project will be integrated alongside a new cinema, in addition to a theme park.