Developer says Dunham’s Sports expects to have store in former Sears building open by Black Friday

QUINCY — A spokesman for the company that owns the former Sears building on the east end of the Quincy Town Center confirmed Wednesday that Dunham’s Sports plans to be open in that space before the end of the year.

Dunham’s Sports is one of the largest sporting goods chains in the country, operating more than 250 stores in 25 states. It was founded in 1937 in West Bloomfield, Mich., as Dunham’s Bait & Tackle. 

Dunham’s offers footwear and apparel departments, a hunting/fishing/camping/water sports area and fitness equipment. It also offers equipment for youth and adult team sports, a golf department, a selection of indoor and outdoor games, go-carts, mini-bikes, work wear, denim and hydration. The store will offer brands like Under Armour, Adidas, Carhartt, Yeti, Callaway Golf, Levi’s, Brooks, Birkenstock and Project Rock.

The closest Dunham’s Sports store is Hannibal, Mo. Other stores are in Jacksonville, Galesburg, Pekin and Ottumwa, Iowa.

The Sears store closed in August 2018, and the former Sears Automotive Center at 420 N. 34^th closed in May 2018. Quincy developer Tom Marx bought the property, now with an address of 3415 Broadway, in 2020. Blessing Health now leases the former Sears Automotive Center for its Blessing Express Clinic.

“We have brokers who actively look for national tenants,” said Tory Kaufmann, a spokesman for Marx Commercial Properties and Development Company. “(Dunham’s) broker and our broker met up, and that’s kind of how it started.”

The Quincy City Council unanimously approved on June 17 a request by Marx for $250,000 from the Mid-Town Business District (MTBD) fund to help finance the redevelopment of the former Sears store. Marx has invested an estimated $2.445 million into the approximately 68,000-square-foot building.

The Mid-Town Business District, formed in March 2021, places a one percent retail sales tax on businesses in an area bordered by Broadway, College, 30^th Street and 36^th Street.

“Landlord work is ongoing, and (Dunham’s is) probably going to be in there with our contractors for the next roughly month or so,” Kaufmann said. “They’re going to be working side by side because they’re going to be bringing in fixtures while we are finishing up our work. Their plan is to be open by Black Friday.”

David Palmer, vice president of marketing and advertising for Dunham’s, was contacted on Wednesday for a comment about the new store. 

“We appreciate your interest, but Dunham’s is not ready to comment at this time,” Palmer said.