Omega Sports

I coach rec league sports year round and I’m always needing something and sporting gear is one of those things you just need to try on or try out before you buy. The folks at Omega are just terrific. They are knowledgeable, friendly and most importantly they’re available to help you. Dick’s Sports is huge, but it’s often hard to find someone to help you. Omega is the opposite, a small store packed with stuff (see Helena K.‘s review), but they are always ready to help you. They do a good job fitting running shoes and cleats, their prices are competitive and it’s easy in and out. I’m partial to the Renaissance Village store, but just because it’s closest.

Omega is a small, local chain of sports stores, consisting of sixteen stores in North Carolina. This particular store, located in the Renaissance Village shopping center, is my favorite, for its location, its excellent sales and decent prices, and its courteous and knowledgeable staff.
Although the store is tiny compared to, for example, Dick’s Sporting Goods, it still boasts a surprisingly exhaustive stock of shoes, apparel, and gear for running, tennis, baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, aerobics, cross-​training, strength training, as well as lacrosse gear, footballs and shoes, swimsuits and swim gear for leisure and competition, and a lot of disc golf equipment, apparel for outdoor sports, team gear like scrimmage shirts and whistles, as well as a wide variety of seasonal items (check out their bocce and cricket sets, and badminton and beach volleyball sets in the summer!).
What they don’t have: golf clothing and equipment, football helmets, padding, or clothing, bikes or biking gear or apparel, outdoor gear other than shoes, boots, socks, and apparel, skateboards, and roller blades. But if you’re looking for any of these items, they never hesitate to refer you to another store and even give you directions on how to get there (which is something they’re sometimes weird about at a super-​corporate chain like Dick’s).
My favorite running shoes — Mizuno Wave Creation — run about $ 120, but I am always able to get a discount at Omega. Sign up for their e-​mails and they’ll send you coupons regularly as well as announcements about their special events, which include Ladies’ Night, where the store stays open late, serves refreshments, has representatives from local businesses for shoe and sports bra fittings, spa treatments, and vitamins, etc., and offers a 20% discount on your total purchase. There’s no gender exclusion here — everyone is welcome — but it is geared toward women, so just keep that in mind.
USTA members get store-​wide 10% discounts at Omega. This is strange, but USTA members get discounts on everything BUT tennis balls. Ha! It’s because, however, Omega already sells its tennis balls at cost. Seriously, it’s got the cheapest — and best selection — of tennis balls that I’ve ever seen anywhere. Also, they have a huge number of racquets, ranging from those kids’ racquets you find at Wal-​Mart, as well as higher-​end offerings from Prince, Babolat, Head, Wilson, and Dunlop. They also have racquetball equipment and even offer ping pong lessons on certain nights of the week.
I’d have to say Omega’s strength lies not only in its excellent selection of shoes, apparel, and gear, but also in its fantastic customer service. All employees undergo thorough testing in the various areas of the store and, if there’s a question they can’t answer, they’ll find someone who can. Most of the employees here love what they do and always make you feel welcome, which is why I feel so loyal to the store. Also, if there’s something in the store that isn’t in the size or color you need, they’ll have it transferred in from another store or save it at another location for you to pick up at your convenience. And, if there’s something they just plain don’t carry — Nike Shox, for example, or some really specific shoes for high-​level athletic competition — odds are they can order it for you. Just ask.

I come to Omega Sports for my rare sports purchases. You have to understand, I’ve made a proud art out of not buying the kinds of things that they sell. That being said, I still come here.
I don’t think I’ve ever spent more than three consecutive minutes in this store. That’s because every time I come here I’m able to find exactly what I need right away, and find it for a price that I’m willing to pay. That’s just awesome.
I can’t really speak to their sales because they invariably seem to center on things that I don’t care to buy (sports apparel and what not).

I like to be comfortable and reasonably stylish while exercising, but I’m not a super-​jock. I’m not about to strap on some super-​aerodynamic, ultra-​wicking spandex contraption just to hit the elliptical machine. I like nice, reasonably priced clothes and shoes, and I like to buy them at Omega Sports.
Don’t get me wrong, they have the pricier brands, like Nike and Adidas, if you want them, but they also have the more economical ones — Russell, Brooks, etc. And — they have really good sales. I went the other day and got two t-​shirts for under $ 5. I mostly buy clothes here, but they have equipment as well — tennis, baseball, lacrosse — and a good supply of running shoes. The employees are nice and friendly, and they’ll help you order items you need if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for.