UPDATED AT 4:23 P.M.
PEORIA, Ill. – A new sporting goods store will be expanding north into Peoria this summer.
Academy Sports + Outdoors will occupy the former Gordman’s location at Grand Prairie Plaza.
The company says it’s planning to add about 60 new jobs to the area.
Public Relations Manager Shane Carlisle says Peoria is a perfect fit for Academy.
“There’s a lot of active minded families who enjoy sports and outdoor fun, so we think we’re going to be a great asset to the community,” Carlisle said.
Carlisle says the expansion into Peoria is part of up to 15 new stores opening this year. Most of Academy’s 269 stores are based in the south and southeast.
The Peoria location will be the second one opening in Illinois. The other location is in O’Fallon, near St. Louis.
