One-of-a-kind shopping experience: Packers Pro Shop hosts grand opening celebration



GREEN BAY (WITI) -- The new Packers Pro Shop, located in the Lambeau Field Atrium’s expanded lobby level,  hosted a grand opening celebration on July 17 to debut the store’s one-of-a-kind shopping experience, along with several opening events and activities for visitors to enjoy.

The doors opened to fans for the first time at 9a.m. Thursday morning.  Dozens poured in to get that first look at the new place to shop. It's doubled the size of the old one- the newly renovated store is 21,500 square feet. It’s also in a new location on the lower level, kind of where the old Hall of Fame was.

“We looked at a number of different locations and finally one of the architects suggested well, why don’t you put it down on the lower level,” said Mark Murphy, the President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers.

Everything from hats, to custom jersey's to high tech displays cover every inch of the space. More registers have been added, and there are spots throughout the store which pay homage to past players.

Murphy explained that while it took a lot of work to get here, he can tell already it's going to be worth it.

“This is something we’ve really been working on for years. It was part of the overall renovation of the atrium and the key piece of that renovation was finding the right place for the Pro Shop,” explained Murphy, “because the Pro Shop has always been great but we outgrew it almost by the time it was built so especially on game days it was just so packed, so I think it really hurt us in terms of being able to get all the people through.”

“There’s so much to see, so many unique features, and so many items, that we expect fans will spend several hours at a time just to take it all in,” said Kate Hogan, Packers director of retail operations. “It’s a total Packers immersion shopping experience.”

The look and feel of the 21,500 square foot store sets it apart from any other NFL team store. When fans enter the main Pro Shop entrance on the north side of Lambeau Field, they’ll immediately see a six-foot-tall, authentic, scaled replica of a gameday helmet hanging from the ceiling. Once inside, a host of other features will be on display, including:


    “It’s not just the look and feel that makes this an experience,” Hogan continued. “You will be able to find Packers items you just won’t see anywhere else and we will have the largest in-store selection of jerseys, hats and Packers gear anywhere in the U.S.”

    Merchandise will include men’s, women’s, youth and children’s sections, home goods, tailgating accessories and Packers collectibles. Additionally, a new a non-Packers branded area will be introduced, featuring goods by top companies including Lucy, Kühl, Nike golf, and Cutter & Buck. These items do not carry the Packers logos and marks, but offer our in-store customers some of today’s top brands.

    “We hope all customers find these new lines exciting and enjoy the opportunity to find new fashions here at the Packers Pro Shop,” Hogan said.

    During the Packers Pro Shop grand opening July 17, fans will be able to participate in contests, giveaways, a ribbon cutting and more. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. and the official store opening will follow the ceremony. Special activities and giveaways will also take place during the four day opening celebration. See the following pages for a complete listing.

    The Packers Pro Shop will be closed to the public Monday, July 14 through Wednesday, July 16, while the store transitions into the new space.

    Packers Pro Shop regular hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special hours are set during training camp, the holidays and for special events. For more information, visit www.packersproshop.com

    Activities:


      o   Thursday and Friday, July 17 and 18, from 1 to 5 p.m.

      o   Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20, from 12 to 4 p.m.


        o   Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.


          o   Thursday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

          o   Sponsored by Johnsonville, Delaware North Companies Sportservice

          o   Proceeds to go to Paul’s Pantry

          o   Brats will be $2 each

          Giveaways sponsored by the following Packers Pro Shop partners:


            First 1,100 customers receive Packers/Packers Pro Shop caps


              First 1,000 customers receive M&N Pennants


                First 1,000 customers receive Mini Christmas Sweater Ornaments


                  First 500 kids receive drawstring backpacks


                    First 360 customers receive Mini Packers Gnomes

                    Enter to Win In Store:


                      Includes:

                      o   One foursome of golf at one of the four Kohler courses

                      o   Four player outfits (three pieces each) from the Packers Pro Shop; branded or non-branded collections

                      o   Two rooms for one night each, at the American Club


                        o   Four tickets to the Saturday, Aug. 9, game vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers (6:10 p.m. start)

                        o   Four batting practice on-field passes

                        o   Four replica player or custom jerseys


                          o   Flying Cheese Wedge Guitar

                          o   Retail Value $500


                            o   Designer Handbag

                            o   Retail value $200


                              o   Signed and framed Ice Bowl Touchdown Picture from Vernon Biever’s collection  Signed by Bart Starr and Jerry Kramer – retail value $550


                                o   Golf Bag, 3 large jars of tees, ball markers

                                o   Retail value $300


                                  o   Aaron Rodgers full size Fathead

                                  o   Retail value $100


                                    o   Packers Gazebo / canopy and 2 folding chairs

                                    o   Retail value $265


                                      o   Bracelet with helmet charm

                                      o   Retail value $225


                                        o   Gift basket of Seroogy’s famous treats and a gift card

                                        o   Retail value $75

                                        Enter to Win In Store and Online:


                                          o   Packers VIP Game Package – retail value $225.

                                          o   Two tickets to the October 19 game versus the Panthers

                                          o   Two Pregame on-field sideline passes

                                          o   $500 airfare voucher

                                          o   $100 gift card to PPS

                                          o   $50 gift certificate to Curly’s Pub


                                            o   3.2 cubic feet Boelter Brands refrigerators (17”W x 19”D x 32 ½”H) – retail value $495.95 each


                                              o   Nike Gift Cards – retail value $200 each

                                              o   Gift cards to be used at Nike.co

                                              Gifts with Purchase:


                                                o   300 Divot Tool Sets – gift with purchase of $50 in Cutter & Buck merchandise; while supplies last


                                                  o   100 Water Bottles and Drawstring Backpacks with Lucy Brand purchase; while supplies last