By RAUL GARCIA JR | The Lansing News Wire
LANSING —Just like the Lions are not afraid to gamble on fourth down, the same is true for Al Salas, the business owner and operator of the Lansing Athletics retail store located in the Lansing Mall.
Now that the Lions have punched their ticket to the NFC Championship fans are going even more crazy for their home team’s gear, and it’s selling like wild fire.
Lions fans are getting ready and it’s clear they want to show off their swagger wearing team jersey’s while they watch the game.
Salas said, we have it all for Lions fans looking to pick up a Lions jersey. He has Gibbs, St. Brown and more in blue, white or grey.
And who doesn’t want to dress up and look good for a watch party for Sunday’s game.
Salas has seen a gain in sales with customers driving as far away from Kalamazoo and Greater Lansing area to buy some Lions drip.
He said other stores in the area who normally sell Lions clothes have already sold out or are running limited on inventory, so fans are scrambling to find stores selling Lions apparel because they cant wait for shipping by ordering online.
“I have been telling my customers, I want to thank them for shopping at Lansing Athletics,” Salas said. “Its not only because of my old customers, and my new customers is why we stay in business.”
Salas, who is originally from Texas, has been telling the story how he dropped his allegiance to the Dallas Cowboys and turned into a Lions super fan to impress his wife who in the early 90s was already a diehard Lions fan.
“I realized she didn’t like me as much the day we met because I was wearing a Cowboys t-shirt, so the very next day I showed up to her job wearing a Lions hat and t-shirt, and the rest is history,” Salas said. “I had to live through the Cowboys beating the Lions on their way to three Super Bowl titles. I left my Cowboys to become a Lions fan.”
Salas opened Lansing Athletics 42 years ago in the Southside of Lansing before relocating to the Lansing Mall. Since then he has provided customers with personalized embroidery and vynal printing on hoodies, jackets, hats, t-shirts and authentic professional team apparel, headwear for men, women and children from the day he opened shop.
Salas said business has picked up and he’s happy God blessed him with the vision to double down and stock up on Jerseys, hats, long sleeve, jackets, t-shirts, winter hats, pajamas and more to sell at the store.
“I started this store a long time ago because I saw the need in Lansing for a store that needed to carry merchandise of all teams from every professional, college and local high school team.” Salas said. “I have customers coming from all over because I have a lot of merchandise, but even though I have been in business for 42 years a lot of people don’t know I carry a lot of stuff so I welcome them to come see us at Lansing Athletics.”
Salas said he took a gamble last year in stocking up on Detroit Lions apparel because they had done so well last season, made some trades and picked up first round draft picks.
“I went all in with the Lions too to make sure Lansing Athletics was stocked with Michigan’s favorite football team’s merchandise,” Salas said.
Salas, like all of Michigan and Lions super fans are gearing up, showing off and ready as the Lions move closer to knocking on the door to go to the Super Bowl as they ready for the NFC Championship game against the 49ers in San Fransisco on Sunday. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. ET on Fox.