retail report
Story and Photos By Jodi Hutchison

Each year, as the holiday season winds down and the New Year begins, people start to focus on health and fitness. The beginning of a year marks a kind of renewed belief in possibility and a time to set goals. Stressful situations grew exponentially in 2008, making fitness goals in 2009 one of the best things we can do for ourselves. This month we take a look at three new Jonesboro retailers that can help local shoppers get a jump start on improving their lives through exercise.

HIGHLAND DRIVE

Play It Again Sports, 3407 E. Highland Drive (across from The Mall at Turtle Creek), (870) 336-0056. This is one of the most exciting new stores in the area and the perfect place to go for sports and fitness gear. Play It Again Sports is packed with a vast selection of sporting goods and fitness equipment such as treadmills, elliptical machines, free weights, home gyms, baseball and softball gear, golf merchandise, skateboards, soccer and basketball supplies, disc golf accessories and more. The store is also home to a uniform design shop that utilizes a fantastic computer graphics design system.

What makes this store so great is that while 80 to 90 percent of their inventory is new, they have a section of used equipment in pristine condition. Purchasing refurbished items is a great way to try out new sports or fitness merchandise without investing a fortune. Trading in old equipment is also a cost effective solution for upgrading to newer products. Special services at Play It Again Sports include: re-gripping golf clubs, re-lacing baseball gloves and reconditioning golf supplies. Be sure to visit their Fit-A-Thon this month to take advantage of huge savings on treadmills, elliptical machines, core and strength training products and more. Mon. –Sat. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sun. 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. www.playitagainsportsjonesboro.com

EAST PARKER ROAD

Divots Golf, 1809 E. Parker Road, Suite D, (870) 934-8687. Golf enthusiasts will enjoy this full service shop that carries most everything associated with the game. Owner Jeff Prestidge says that the store will continue to expand its selection, increasing its inventory by about 65 percent as 2009 products arrive through the spring.

Customers will find items from golf tees to customized golf carts and everything in between. Look for popular brand names including: Callaway, Cleveland, TaylorMade and Club Car. In addition, golfers can improve their game with advice from onsite golf instructor, Matt Christian, and perfect their swing at the driving range that is scheduled to open in February. Special store services include club repair, grips, cart maintenance and cart customization. A grand re-opening is planned for April with special events and giveaways. Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

EAST NETTLETON AVENUE

Fun Fitness, 2627 E. Nettleton, (870) 934-0200. For those seeking a low-impact way to stay in shape, or perhaps something just outside of the norm to try, Fun Fitness offers a unique product just for you. This shop is a specialty store that sells a product called a Trikke. Trikkes are “three-wheeled cambering vehicles that are powered by utilizing a patented 3CV technology which allows a rider to propel a chainless, pedal-less device forward without ever touching a foot to the ground.” A deeper explanation with photographs of the vehicle is available on the Fun Fitness website listed below. The store has sizes and styles to accommodate everyone from small children to seniors, and Trikkes can be ridden on any smooth surface such as riding trails, sidewalks and driveways. Call or stop by for more details. Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. www.funfitnesstrikke.com