After months of construction, Dick’s Sporting Goods is now open in Westshore Plaza.

Dick’s Sporting Goods flagship store opened on April 25 at 8 a.m. where Saks Fifth Avenue closed a year ago. The store is two levels and covers 80,000 square feet. Customers searching for specialty sporting equipment no longer need to travel to Citrus Park Town Center to shop.

In a press conference before the store’s opening Lauren Hobart, senior vice president & chief marketing officer of Dick’s, said that Dick’s Sporting Goods is excited to bring another store to the Tampa community.

The opening of the new store makes specialized sports equipment more readily available to consumers. “The opening of a Dick’s Sporting Goods close by makes getting everything I need for running easier. Now I can get all the top gear,” Carlos Andino, senior, said.

During opening week the store attempted to lure in customers with extensive savings and featured products. Customers who visited the store opening day benefitted from Under Armour T-shirt giveaways and a 4,000-gallon “Dick’s Bass Tank” where they could attempt to fish in the store. The store also gave out  free mystery gift cards ranging in amounts from $5 to $50.

“Dick’s Sporting Goods offers both quality products and good service. I went during opening week and my experience was effortless and unforgettable. I would go again,” Bo Evans, senior, said.

The store’s opening has also created competition for the newly renovated, yet smaller, Sports Authority located directly across the street from Westshore Plaza.

“I no longer need to cross Kennedy just to get sporting goods when I am out shopping at Westshore Plaza,” John Green, senior, said.

The store will follow the same hours as the mall, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunda*ys.

This is the 27th Dick’s Sporting Goods store to open in Florida.