Gazelle Sports named G.R. small business of year
And the Award goes to…
Navtej Kohli business blog brings the entire report.
Gazelle Sports aims to connect with the community in various ways, and its effort has been recognized by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, which named the Kalamazoo-based retailer its its 2008 Small Business of the Year.
The sporting goods retailer, which has stores in Grand Rapids, Holland and downtown Kalamazoo, is to be honored at a luncheon May 20.
“We recognize our success is directly related to our community’s success,” said Melissa Chillag, community programmer for the Grand Rapids store.
The store is committed to training employees to quickly address customer needs, said co-owner Ken Sung. Ask a question of anyone working on Gazelle’s 7,000-square-foot sales floor at 3930 28th St. SE, and you’re likely to get an answer on the spot.
“It helps develop people and gives them a greater sense of responsibility,” Sung said. “If they understand the philosophy of what we’re trying to do and they’re the right people, they’re going to make the right decisions.”
The Grand Rapids store, which opened in 1989, notched an 11 percent sales increase from 2006 to 2007. Manager Scott Sneller chalks it up to “great customer care.”
And he said workers are trained in biomechanics — the movement of the body.
Sneller said Gazelle isn’t a ‘running-only’ store.
Gazelle, he said, also emphasizes a community presence. “Our mission in doing our business is to promote fitness and healthy living,” Chillag said.
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