Modell’s Sporting Goods to Hold Grand Opening Thursday in Pentagon City

Modell's Sporting Goods will launch its first location in Arlington County with a grand opening at 9 a.m. Thursday, and players from the Nationals and Redskins will be on hand for opening weekend.

The sporting goods shop will be located at 1201 S. Hayes St., at the Pentagon Centre. The New York City-based retailer will offer special giveaways Thursday through Sunday as part of the grand opening, said company spokesman Jamal Jones.

From 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, the store will hold a meet-and-greet with Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez and another event from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday with Washington Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo. The store is also giving away free gift cards, duffel bags and chances to win other prizes.

The first 150 customers on Thursday will receive a $25 Modell’s gift card, with the next 50 customers receiving a $10 card. On Friday, the first 100 customers will receive a free Nike duffle bag, followed by the next 100 receiving a $10 Modell’s gift card.

Saturday will follow a similar schedule, with the first 150 customers receiving $25 gift cards, and the next 50 receiving $10 gift cards. Sunday, the store will be giving away “mystery gift cards” worth $25, $50 or $100 to the first 100 customers.

Additional giveaways include a trip for four to New York City to see the Washington Nationals play the New York Mets, which includes front row seats, round trip travel and hotel accommodations.

“We are thrilled to have our 18th store in the Virginia-Maryland area,” said Modell’s President and CEO Mitchell Modell in a news release. “We look forward to becoming a stronghold in our new community and getting them everything they need for the summer."

The closest store in Northern Virginia is currently in Springfield, Jones said.

“We wanted something in the area, a retail location for in this area, for us to be close to the Metro,” he said. “So we thought it would be a good store for us.”

The Arlington store will be open 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.