JACKSON TWP. – Academy Sports & Outdoors at The Strip will soon welcome customers with apparel and equipment at values of “good, better and best,” store director Ronald Wildblood said.
The store at 6687 Strip Ave. NW will open to the public after a soft opening at 3 p.m. March 15 and will host an official grand opening on March 20. As part of the opening weekend specials, the first 150 adults in line from March 20 to March 22 will receive a gift card for an amount up to $500.
Store hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. It’s the Texas-based retailer’s fourth store in Ohio, with the nearest in Boardman.
“I think it’s going to be a great location,” Wildblood said.
Academy Sports & Outdoors is always seeking to expand and plans to open more than 170 stores in the next two years, he added. The area’s lakes and outdoor recreation opportunities made Jackson Township a natural fit for a new store.
“Fishing and hunting is what we’re known for,” Wildblood said.
The approximately 50,000-square-foot store — in the former Old Navy and Bed Bath & Beyond — prominently displays rows of fishing poles and lures and Carhartt gear rather than the typical Nike displays. Regional brands, such as Great Lakes Finesse products, can be found among national and store brands.
Academy Sports & Outdoors features a large selection of women’s and men’s clothing, work and athletic shoes, fitness equipment, kayaks, camping gear, grills, patio furniture and all things outdoors. The store also sells firearms and safes, which are 10% off with a firearm purchase.
Wildblood said “educating the customer” about safety and training is a top priority of its firearm staff, which consists of several ex-military and police officers. In all, the store has about 70 employees with a mix of part-time and full-time schedules.
The store will occasionally host meet-and-greet events with athletes and sells Ohio and Cleveland sports team merchandise. Academy Sports & Outdoors is also a member of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and the North Canton Chamber of Commerce.
“I’m doing everything we can to get more involved in the community,” said Wildblood, who moved from Houston to open the store.
On March 19, the store will host a shopping spree for 20 children selected by Canton Parks & Recreation. The children will each receive a $200 gift card to spend in the store, and another $1,000 will be set aside for Canton Parks & Recreation. A surprise Cleveland Browns player will also make a guest appearance.
Wildblood said he is working to build partnerships with several other local businesses and teams. Customers will also be asked to complete surveys and suggest local or regional products they would like to see in the store.
Polymer Packaging president to retire, two VPs named
Polymer Packaging President Dan Wish will retire on April 1, the Lake Township-based company announced.
Wish’s departure will conclude a 35-year career in manufacturing and distribution. He joined Polymer Packaging when the company acquired William-Allen Co. in 2023.
“Dan’s leadership and industry experience were instrumental during a pivotal period of growth for our company,” CEO and owner Larry Lanham said in a prepared statement. “We appreciate his contributions and wish him the very best in his retirement.”
Polymer Packaging was founded in 1986 and manufactures flexible packaging for food and beverage, medical, automotive and industrial products. The company has a Lake Township headquarters and an Allendale, Michigan, manufacturing facility.
Two executives also were promoted as part of the leadership transition, according to the company’s announcement in early March. John Rathje, who joined the company in 2020, was promoted to vice president of sales — flexibles. He will be responsible for growing the food, beverage, automotive, industrial and shipping products.
Andrew Nutial, who also joined the company from William-Allen Co., was promoted to vice president of sales — bakery. He will be responsible for advancing bakery film technology, such as those that extend shelf life, and related performance enhancements.
“The new leadership team ensures we have the right sales structure in place to support both our flexible and bakery businesses and position them for continued success,” Lanham said. “John and Andrew bring exceptional leadership, strong customer and vendor relationships, and a clear commitment to growth. I am confident they will lead their teams –— and our organization — to new levels of performance.”
Sugardale becomes title sponsor of Fan Fest
The Pro Football Hall of Fame and Sugardale are extending their partnership with the company becoming the title sponsor of the Hall of Fame’s annual Fan Fest.
The free outdoor event is part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival in early August. Established in 2025, the festival features four days of food, music and Hall of Famer appearances on the museum campus.
“Our long-standing partnership with the Pro Football Hall of Fame reflects a shared commitment to community, tradition and unforgettable fan experiences,” Alicia Pucky, Sugardale’s vice presidentof corporate responsibility, said in a prepared statement. “We are proud to be the title sponsor of Sugardale Fan Fest, showcasing the legacy of the Sugardale brand as part of Enshrinement Weekend while celebrating the fans, families and traditions that make the event so special.”
The company, founded in Canton, has supplied meats to retailers and restaurant chains nationwide for more than 100 years. According to the announcement, Sugardale and the Hall will continue to collaborate on promotions and marketing efforts year-round.
“Sugardale has been an integral part of this community for more than 100 years, and the Hall is thrilled to continue our partnership,” Jim Porter, president and CEO of the Hall, said in a prepared statement. “We are proud to work with such a respectable organization and appreciate the support of the company and its many employees who visit the museum.”
Diebold Nixdorf welcomes new executive
Diebold Nixdorf, the North Canton-based ATM manufacturer and financial solutions provider, has created a new executive position to improve efficiency and employ emerging technology, such as artificial intelligence.
The company recently announced that Andy Zosel, who has 30 years of related experience, was hired as chief product and technology officer. Zosel most recently worked as senior vice president and general manager of intelligent automation for Zebra Technologies, a technology and automation solutions company based in Illinois.
“We are excited to welcome Andy to our executive leadership team,” Octavio Marquez, president and CEO of Diebold Nixdorf, said in a prepared statement. “With his appointment, we are reinforcing our leadership in delivering cutting-edge solutions that directly address the evolving needs of our banking and retail customers.”
Zosel will lead product management, engineering, research and development, and innovation efforts across the company’s banking and retail sectors. He is also tasked with maximizing Diebold Nixdorf’s use of artificial intelligence and automation.
Notable developments
Area business closures
A handful of area businesses have closed in the past few months. Messages to the business seeking additional information were not returned.
According to company websites and social media pages, the following locations are no longer open:
Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323 or kelly.byer@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Academy Sports & Outdoors opening | Business roundup
Reporting by Kelly Byer, Canton Repository / The Repository
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