Dunham's Sports
Dunham's Sports is a regional sporting goods superstore chain owned by Dunham's Athleisure Corporation, with stores located in the Midwestern to Southeastern United States. The chain specializes in athletic equipment, clothing, guns, and other sports-related items. The chain has over 230 locations in 22 states, including Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.History
The first store opened in West Bloomfield, Michigan in 1937 as Dunham's Bait & Tackle. It was operated by Ron Dunham in a location on Northwestern Highway west of Telegraph Road. The original store gained exposure through advertisements in Newsweek and fishing shows hosted on radio. The original store burnt down in 1946 but was promptly rebuilt.
R. L. Schmalzreid bought the store in 1953 and relocated it to the corner of Northwestern Highway and Orchard Lake Road. American Can Company acquired the chain in 1985. At the time of the acquisition, the chain had eight stores: five in Metro Detroit, one in Grand Rapids, Michigan, one in Anderson, Indiana, and one in Muncie, Indiana. After merging with Primerica, the company sold off Dunham's in 1989. By 1991, the company had 49 stores and was headquartered in Waterford Township, Michigan. Dunham's Sports is currently headquartered in Troy, MI.
