SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT – For Little League World Series visitors looking to take home a team jersey, cap, collector’s pin or other memorabilia, shopping just got a lot easier.
What Little League calls its flagship store opened last week in its international headquarters complex in South Williamsport.
“It’s been years in the making,” says Christa DeAngelo, general manager of retail for the world’s largest youth sports organization.
About a week later, the cramped gift shop in the concourse behind Howard J. Lamade Stadium was closed and a 6,000-square-foot retail store opened.
The standalone store has wide aisles filled with all kinds of merchandise, including a pin board that will be very popular with collectors.
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The sales area has been enlarged and the cash registers are larger than in the gift shop. There are also staff offices and storage rooms that also serve the e-commerce business.
DeAngelo and her team of 75 part-time employees are preparing for the expected rush of customers once the series games begin on Wednesday. “We’re ready to go,” she said.
The store, which also replaces a small retail store beneath Lamade Stadium, will be open year-round.
There is a large parking lot – however, it is not available during the World Series as the store is located in a secure area where only approved vehicles are allowed. During the World Series, anyone entering the store must go through metal detectors at the entrance to the complex.
Those who took advantage of the store’s soft opening event commented positively on the facility.
Local residents Thomas P. O’Connor, who has worked as an usher at the World Series for 30 years, and his wife Gloria noticed the size and openness compared to the old stadium.
Gene Moses and his children walked down every aisle on Wednesday before making several purchases.
They were on their way from their home in Washington to Cooperstown, New York.
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The store is operated in partnership with Delaware North Sportservice, which has managed concessions at the complex since 2002.
“It creates a whole new shopping experience, especially for show attendees,” said Jeff Hess, vice president of retail.
This is another opportunity for Little League to provide a positive and memorable experience for visitors to the complex, said Liz DiLullo Brown, Little League’s executive vice president and chief marketing and business relationship officer.
As a nonprofit organization, Little League International relies on its retail operations, including through ShopLittleLeague.org, to generate revenue to run its programs, she said.
Normal store hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but they may vary during the World Series, DeAngelo said.
The easiest way to get there is via East Mountain Avenue in South Williamsport. This is also the only access to the complex during the series.
In addition to the new store, merchandise will continue to be available at the World of Little League Museum on Route 15.
