Amador County – A long-awaited new business, the Big 5 Sporting Goods opened Thursday to a line of customers eager to shop the new branch of the big chain store in Martell.

Big 5 opened its doors to a line of people waiting, said the store’s manager, Amanda Stowell. She said the store had received phone calls and drop-ins from passersby all week asking when the store would open, as workers made a mad dash to prepare for the opening.

That happened 4 p.m. Thursday, followed by the “official ribbon cutting,” hosted by the Amador County Chamber of Commerce.

Stowell said the store plans a grand opening celebration November 18th at the store, located next to Mountain Mike’s Pizza and Save Mart, in Martell.

The manager said the store carries everything from firearms to recreation, and snow gear. She said footwear is probably their largest department. Several dozen people were still in the store by 5 p.m., shopping, with other visitors constantly flowing into the store.

Stowell said the store has about 25 employees and will be open seven days a week. She said the store is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 to 9 on Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays, during normal season hours. She said the store will have special extended hours for the holidays.

Big 5 District Manager Pat Reddell said the store in Martell will have one of his two best managers in his district, in Stowell. He said the other is Lisa Wilson, who is the manager of the Big 5 store in Sonora. Reddell said his district now includes 11 stores, from Sonora to Sacramento.

Stowell said the Amador Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony was a word-of-mouth event, and the store gave away raffle tickets for prizes. They also gave away goodie bags to the first 50 customers who came, and had refreshments, including sandwiches from Subway.

Big 5 plans to give away more raffle tickets at its Thursday, November 18th grand opening, Reddell said, and the drawings will be made for the raffles on Sunday, December 5th.

Amador County Chamber of Commerce Executive Board President Mark Borchin spread the word about the Chamber’s ribbon cutting this week, and had planned to attend Thursday.

Big 5’s new store is located at 11974 Highway 88, in Martell. For information, call (209) 257-1304. Online, see Big5SportingGoods.com.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.