Dick's House of Sport Opens New Flagship Store at The Empire Mall

Dick’s House of Sport Opens New Flagship Store at The Empire Mall

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Retail Evolution at The Empire Mall as Dick’s House of Sport Opens

Shoppers walking through The Empire Mall will notice a massive shift in how sporting goods are sold, as siouxfalls.business reported that Dick’s House of Sport officially opened its doors on Oct. 28, 2026. Taking over the expansive footprint left vacant by Sears, this new location entirely replaces the traditional Dick’s Sporting Goods store that previously operated nearby. Measuring more than 100,000 square feet, the sprawling retail space leans heavily into experiential shopping, moving far beyond simple rows of merchandise racks.

The concept first launched in 2021 to counter the online retail grind by offering customers physical spaces to test gear in real-world scenarios. Instead of simply looking at a golf club or a soccer cleat on a shelf, visitors can step directly onto an outdoor turf field. The facility also houses an indoor climbing wall, multiple golf bays powered by TrackMan simulators, and a versatile multisport cage built for baseball, softball, lacrosse, and soccer. Shoppers can measure their athletic performance on the spot, turning a routine retail trip into an interactive afternoon.

Grand Opening Plans and Former NFL Stars

While the doors are already open for daily business, the company has scheduled an official three-day grand opening celebration from November 6 through November 8. The festivities kick off at 8:45 a.m. on November 6 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring retired NFL kicker and South Dakota native Adam Vinatieri. A couple of days later, former NFL tight end Kyle Rudolph will meet fans at the store from noon to 1:30 p.m. on November 8.

Meeting Rudolph requires a bit of planning for local fans. Wristbands are strictly limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis right when the store opens that morning. To keep the line moving smoothly, Rudolph will sign only player cards provided directly by the store, declining all outside memorabilia.

Beyond the athlete appearances, the November 6-8 weekend features several interactive stations and promotional giveaways:

  • Dick’s Vault: An interactive experience giving shoppers a chance to unlock exclusive prizes, premium collectibles, and hidden surprises.
  • Expression Lab: A hands-on customization station offering shoe charms, personalized totes, laser engraving, and apparel embellishments.
  • Daily Giveaways: Mystery gift cards await the first 100 adults aged 18 and older in line each morning, while the first 100 kids under 18 receive Topps trading card pack giveaways alongside doorbuster deals and sweepstakes.

Standard store hours run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Meanwhile, mall visitors will find other recent retail shifts nearby, including the recent opening of a Toys R Us located close to the interior entrance of the new House of Sport, alongside several fresh additions to the mall’s food court.

What comes next for the neighborhood remains an open question. Company leadership has not yet finalized any new commercial use for the original, smaller Dick’s Sporting Goods location left empty by this relocation.

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