Scheels Opens Arizona Store to Stunning Crowds

If you’re not familiar with Scheels now, you will be. If it’s not the sporting goods, it’s the Ferris wheel, or the 16,000-gallon fish tank, or the wildlife mountains or sports simulators.

One just opened in Chandler, and opening day drew tens of thousands of first-day shoppers. The Phoenix Business Journal reports mall owner Macerich says it’s seen increased leasing activity at the Chandler Fashion Center because of the Scheels opening. Scheels is expected to draw in customers from across the state, so other retailers are hoping to capitalize on shoppers who regularly are not in the market.

The 250,000-square-foot store debuted in a spot vacated by Nordstroms, which didn’t survive the Covid crisis.

Scheels in Chandler has 75 specialty shops set up inside. Upon opening, Chandler SCHEELS will be the company’s 32nd location and will employ over 400 people.