By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
A new sports apparel chain, Pro Image, will be opening before Christmas in Big Creek Crossing mall in Hays.
Robert Alvarez, 38, will be the local owner and operator of the store in Hays under his local business RJ & Sons.
The next closest Pro Image location is in Wichita.
The store will have a large inventory of hats and other team-branded items, such as jerseys (both adult and youth), signs, decor, cups, glasses and key chains. The store also will carry collectibles.
Pro Image will carry merchandise for local favorites, including NFL, NBA, MLB, some hockey, as well as area college teams K-State, KU, OSU and the Huskers. Alvarez is working on a licensing agreement with Fort Hays State University to carry FHSU apparel and merchandise.
Alvarez's father was in the Navy, and he grew up living on the coast of California as his father was moved from base to base. His mother is from Leoti and the family lived in Kansas for a time after his father retired from the Navy. Alvarez served in the Army before settling back in Hays.
Alvarez has experience as an assistant manager for a craft store franchise, as well as a store manager and corporate employee for a national discount retailer.
He said he has always been a huge sports fan. He went to his first baseball game — the A's versus the Giants. — with his dad hen he was 5 years old. That was during the Mark McGwire-Jose Canseco era. At that time, the Giants had Barry Bonds.
"I love the A's. I will always have a heart for them, but when Barry Bonds just hit a home run out of nowhere, it was great," he said.
Alvarez said he wanted to stay in Hays and realized Hays has a lot of potential to grow.
"I love sports and I bring the knowledge of retail, and I'm excited to bring it to Hays," he said.
He said he wanted to promote local business that will keep revenue here in Hays. However, he acknowledged his biggest competition will be online sales outlets.
"It think a lot of people order online because it just isn't here," he said. "I hope I can give people better opportunities. That's what I'm trying for."
Pro Image will be in the northeast section of the mall in the space that had been most recently occupied by the Simple Pure CBD shop. Alvarez said he hopes to have the store open between Nov. 15 to 23 — before Black Friday.
The store will have drawings that will be conducted during the first week of business. Tickets will be available with a purchase of $50 or more. Pro Image will also participate in the FrostFest Parade, and Alvarez plans to give out fan merchandise during the parade.
The store will have the same hours as Big Creek Crossing, which are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.