By Wally Kennedy
Globe Staff Writer
JOPLIN, Mo. —
With a $100 gift card in hand and her own “personal retail assistant” at her side, Cora Wesley was in full shopping mode Thursday as one of the first customers to walk through the doors of the new Academy Sports & Outdoors, 1717 S. Range Line Road.
Tucked under the arm of the 8-year-old was a new skateboard.
“My brother has a skateboard, and we would take turns using his,” Cora said. “I wanted one of my own. I also got this Little Kitty bag, a hoodie, and some flip-flops and shorts. I needed some summer clothes.”
The store employee who was assisting the young shopper said she still had $40 on her card after those purchases.
Cora, a student at Irving Elementary in Joplin, said the May 22 tornado that destroyed her former school also caused damage to her home. She lost some things, including toys that were outside her home.
“But I’m one of the lucky ones,” she said.
Cora was among 40 students from the school who were given gift cards to shop for whatever they wanted at Academy Sports the day before its official opening today. Each student was paired with an employee of the store who helped the youngster shop. Some students had a parent in tow.
Also shopping was Andrew Scoggin, age 9.
“I’ve got a football, two (toy) guns and a Rams cap,” he said. “I still have about $40 left. Maybe I’ll get some shoes.”
Andrew, who said he lost a lot of his toys in the storm, said, “I think this is pretty awesome.”
Cora and Andrew now attend classes at the former Washington School in Joplin. Their principal, Debra Fort, said teachers at the school nominated the students for the shopping excursion.
“Every kid here lost something,” she said.
The children’s parents were told about the shopping spree two days before it happened. A note that was sent home to them asked whether the child might need anything in particular.
Fort said she was especially touched by a note from one parent.
“It said: ‘Give him anything his heart desires,’” she said.
The children were gathered inside the store’s foyer and were given T-shirts to wear while they shopped. Inside the store, Sony Castillo, store director, lined up his employees and told them: “These are our first customers. Let’s do what we do and service our customers.”
Castillo said inviting the children to the store was an opportunity for the store to give back to the community.
The 75,000-square-foot store, which was destroyed by the tornado, will reopen at 8 a.m. today.
Castillo said the store will employ about 120 people. Some of them are new employees, and some worked at the former store. About 10 jobs have been added, he said.
Customers will find that the layout of the store is similar to that of the previous store. It has two new features. One of them permits golfers to test out new clubs and have their swings electronically analyzed. The other new area is an archery lane that permits bow hunters to test new bows. The store will have specialists to assist customers in both areas.
Grand reopening
Academy Sports & Outdoors will celebrate its reopening with prizes, gifts and special appearances in a three-day event that kicks off Feb. 10.
