PGA Championship pop-up shop opens in Delaware County, with businesses eyeing economic boost
· Yahoo Sports
A massive pop-up PGA shop has opened ahead of next week's PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, giving fans a chance to purchase exclusive merchandise while local businesses prepare for an expected surge in visitors.
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The temporary shop spans 50,000 square feet - roughly the size of a football field - and was assembled in just a few weeks on the golf course.
Inside, shoppers will find a wide range of exclusive items tied to the championship, many with a Philadelphia theme, including T-shirts and specialty golf accessories.
"There's over 1,500 different items to choose from - all limited, exclusive for this event. So it's not like you walk in here and you can pick something out a year later. This is it, and I think that's what makes it so exciting," said Michael Quirk, chief commercial officer at Legends Global.
The PGA Championship is set to begin next week at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square. Fans, however, can begin shopping early, as the pro shop opens to the public Friday morning.
Organizers say they are focused on creating a seamless experience for customers throughout the event.
"We provide the best experience we can. We keep inventory levels at the highest level possible throughout the event, and we try to make sure everyone has the best experience," Quirk said.
The tournament is expected to draw significant crowds and generate substantial economic activity across Delaware County.
"Two hundred thousand people are expected to attend the golf tournament over the course of seven days with a $125 million economic impact projected by the PGA," said Rob MacPherson, executive vice president of Visit Delco.
That influx of visitors is already being felt, with many area hotels fully booked for the duration of the tournament.
Local businesses are also preparing for increased demand. At Casey's Public House, co-owner Andrew Crisanti said the restaurant is introducing themed offerings to attract golf fans.
"We're running some golf specials in terms of cocktails, we're going to do your John Daly's," Crisanti said.
Crisanti noted that previous tournaments at Aronimink, including the Women's PGA Championship in 2020, brought noticeable increases in business. He and other business owners hope to see a similar boost this time.
"Ready to rock for the week. It's an exciting time and it's exciting for Newtown Square for the new people to come to town and experience it," he said.
The pro shop opens to the public at 9 a.m. Friday, while tournament activities begin Monday with the first practice round.