A longtime Raleigh business is closing very soon, but plans to reopen in a new location
A tenant that has occupied part of a former Kmart on Western Boulevard in Raleigh for 30 years is moving.
Grand Slam USA, which opened as a franchise in 1995, is heading south to 1515 Garner Station Blvd. The site, off Fayetteville Road/U.S.-401, was most recently home to the discount retailer Big Lots.
Its last day at 4500 Western Blvd. was Friday, March 28.
“It’s been a pleasure to serve the community for so many years,” Lisa Dobbins, one of the store’s original owners, told The News & Observer in a phone interview.
Dobbins and her husband, the former William Peace University head softball coach Charlie Dobbins, sold the business after the COVID-19 pandemic to its current owners.
“We are incredibly grateful to be able to serve the community by providing the services that we do,” John Guyer, president of Grand Slam USA, told The N&O over the phone. “It’s something that work we love and are passionate about, and we love the fact that we’re able to share that with members of the community and and the region at large.”
Grand Slam USA sells baseball and softball equipment and allows customers to try it out before they purchase. They also offer personal training, and the facility has batting cages and batting tunnels that can be reserved.
Here’s what to know about the move.
Why is the store moving?
Raleigh developer Cityplat recently purchased the property from the Jack A. Sneeden Corp., which had owned it for decades, The N&O previously reported.
Cityplat — which also plans to redevelop, among other projects, sites at 2510 Hillsborough St. and 3415 Hillsborough St. in Raleigh — earmarked the Western Boulevard property for a $500 million mixed-use complex, with retail tenants expected to move in by the end of the year.
“Despite believing that we would be allowed to stay until our new facility was complete, the new owners of the building have decided not to honor that understanding and have rather proceeded with their plans,” Grand Slam USA writes on its website.
The company hopes to celebrate the “grand opening for Grand Slam” in late May, around the company’s official 30th anniversary, Guyer said.
He had been looking for a new home for Grand Slam for years, and had three big items on his wish list.
- The new location had to be in an area that would be easy to access, especially for customers who travel from out of town or otherwise far away.
- It also had to be welcoming, in contrast to the Western Boulevard spot, which Guyer said is “not particularly welcoming.” The Garner Station spot neighbors complementary businesses and features good lighting and parking.
- Lastly, Grand Slam USA wanted to remain in the central metro area, where it has been for decades, to avoid harming any competing businesses.
What to expect at the new Grand Slam USA location
Starting Monday, March 31, Grand Slam USA will be open in its new location on Garner Station Boulevard for glove relacing and break-in services, along with bat grip wrapping. Its retail shop will be open, and there will be a place for customers to try out a bat before they buy it. There will also be lessons and limited tunnel rentals available.
The new facility is 32,000 square feet, which is 12,000 square feet larger than the Western Boulevard location. That extra space will facilitate:
- One of the largest diamond sport-exclusive shops in the region (3,000 square feet)
- New, more customizable automated machines to accommodate more hitters
- Additional, bigger tunnels
- Professional level tunnels
- Team workout space
- A family lounge
- A golf simulator
“It’ll be much bigger and better and newer, and all the bells and whistles,” said Dobbins, adding that she hopes to work at Grand Slam USA’s new location at least a couple of days each week.
A ‘family-owned atmosphere’
“The family-owned atmosphere is still there,” Dobbins said. “I don’t think that will ever change, and I hope it never does.”
Because the business has been around for 30 years, Dobbins has seen some customers age.
“Grown-ups come in and say, ‘I had my third birthday party here,’ or something like that, which is kind of strange,” Dobbins said.
Norberto Martin, who used to play in the major leagues, has worked with “a ton of kids,” including Raleigh’s Josh Hamilton, Dobbins said.
And Grand Slam USA has welcomed players of all ages and skills, including teams from West Raleigh and Garner, club teams from N.C. State and slow-pitch teams.
“It’s going to be hard for me to leave here. I’ve already kind of shed a few tears with my husband the other night,” Dobbins said. “It’ll be strange, but like everything else in the world, things have to move on. And I wish them all the best.”
Customers react to Grand Slam USA’s move
Many people on Facebook have expressed excitement about Grand Slam USA’s new home, which will be near the forthcoming Nova Trampoline and Adventure Park, Triangle Business Journal reported.
“Looking forward to the new place,” one person wrote about the new Grand Slam USA location.
“Excited to have you all closer,” wrote another.
The shopping center that will house Grand Slam USA’s new location also contains retailers such as Gabe’s and Bath & Body Works.
This story was originally published March 27, 2025 at 3:33 PM.
