KAHULUI - Sports Authority at Maui Marketplace is expanding into the space used until recently by Borders Books, Music & Cafe.
In a telephone interview from Honolulu, Sports Authority district manager Ben Arita said he could not say exactly how soon the expansion would be ready or how many employees would be added. But he said he is sure his company would hire more people than worked at Borders.
"It's a win-win," Arita said.
Article Photos
Sports Authority merchandise associate Kristalyn Daquep makes sure the Kahului store’s running shoe department is in top shape Wednesday afternoon.
The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
The expanded store will not be as big as the biggest Sports Authority store on Oahu, but it will be bigger than the two smaller Oahu outlets. It will allow the business to greatly increase its selection, especially for youth sports equipment for activities like soccer, baseball and golf.
Arita said the larger store will not add any new categories, but it will offer more choices. "Take soccer shinguards. We will be able to have twice as much," he said.
Sports Authority grabbed for the Maui Marketplace space next door, "for various reasons," he said. "We didn't feel we were doing Maui justice" with the smaller store. The present location is about the same size as the typical Sports Authority, he said.
Hawaii, with its year-round outdoor possibilities, is a good place for Sports Authority, and Arita said two more outlets will open next year, in Hilo and a fourth store on Oahu.
There will be further expansion in 2013, but Arita said he could not say more than that.
"This expansion will offer the latest and greatest," he said.
* Harry Eagar can be reached at heagar@mauinews. com.
