Sometimes bad things happen for the better. It's amazing how…read morea sporting goods empire came to be from the actions of the boss of an 18-year-old kid employee named Dick, who asked the kid to come up with a list of ideas for products needed to get into the fishing tackle business, and after having been presented with the kid's suggestions, calling him a dumb kid who had no idea what he was doing. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I also was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Dick's Sporting Goods in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. Just the other day a good friend of mine recommended me some comfortable HOKA Clifton 10 sneakers he had bought at this Dick's Sporting Goods store. So after finding those sneakers in their app that I had in my cellphone, I drove to their store today in my pearl white Lexus to try them on. This Dick's Sporting Goods store located next to the Valley View Mall in Roanoke, Virginia, is majestic in size to the point of being intimidating. After entering their gigantic entrance, it was like arriving to a whole new world where everything sports reigned. Absolutely everything you could think of that had to do with sports, they had in their infinite inventory very well arranged in categories throughout the store. At the end of the store, they had this relatively new and well designed open area where the sneakers department was. When I arrived, I saw a couple of tables with HOKA sneakers on display. They also had a small, easy to use computer to help customers find the perfect shoe they were looking for. But what I couldn't find was a sales associates to assist me to find the sneakers I needed. An order gentleman finally came out and didn't even greet me. I had to ask him if he could help me find the shoes I needed. He didn't seem too friendly, but he went back to get the men's HOKA Clifton 10 in black size 9 for me, in regular width and wide. He brought the two boxes and laid them on the wide bench where I was seated, not being helpful at all to put them on. I asked if he had a shoehorn and he said not at Dick's, like if I was crazy to ask that question. All the time he was ignoring me and not giving me his attention. It was the worst customer service that I had ever received anywhere, especially here that I thought was a high-end Sports category store. He looks at his watch and tells me it's his check-out time, that the other sales lady could help me. She was a bit kinder and knowledgeable but also delivered lukewarm service. After trying on the sneakers I had gone there for and feeling comfortable with them on, I walked over to the front cash register to pay for them. On my way there I saw one of the managers and asked if I could take some photos of their store for this review and he told me it was not allowed, that I had to get permission from corporate. I don't understand how a store of this nature could have employees and managers with such poor customer service skills. I guess they remain in business just because they have a well stocked store with a great variety of good quality products nicely displayed. The young gentleman in the cash register was also the same. Very serious and didn't even say thank you for shopping here. What a pitty, all the employees in this store seem to be treating their customers just as the boss of the founder treated him when he was a kid, disrespectful. I hope that corporate reads this review and takes actions in the recruitment and development of their employees, starting from their store managers and down the line. And that they listen to their customers and treat them with the respect they deserve.

* Please note i have previously posted about this issue at the Christiansburg store. As it also…read moreinvolved the Roanoke store I am posting about it here as well. Went to the Christiansburg location to buy an in-stock bike. I was told they could not sell it to me in the box. I explained I was from out of town. Didn't matter. I explained that my wife bought a bike in the box in the Roanoke store the previous week. Didn't matter. It's listed in stock and available for pick up. Didn't matter. It's right there. Didn't matter. Is this the policy because Roanoke did it. Not a policy... it's our "preference". Great, please sell me the bike. Didn't matter. Manager intimated that I wasn't being "professional" (not cursing or yelling on my part... just flabbergasted that it's this hard to hand Dicks money), and threw his staff under the bus -"I thought my employee could handle this" (I wasn't looking to be "handled" just wanted to buy a bike). He also said " I was going to offer you a discount". I explained I do not want a discount... I just want the bike so I can go riding with my wife this weekend. Didn't matter. I asked if it could be transferred to Roanoke in the box. He said that if Roanoke "wanted to get in trouble they could" and announced he had to go pick up his brother. Told him to drive safely. OK, is there another manager? 2nd manager refused to sell me the bike. Can you transfer to Roanoke? 2nd Manager (Ryan... although I don't believe this is how he spells it) said he would if it was OK with the Roanoke manager and even offered to drive it down in his personal vehicle after his shift (well done Ryan). Didn't matter because the manager in Roanoke would only do this if I picked it up at closing time. Can't I pick it up tomorrow? Only if it's "9AM sharp". But I'm out of town. Didn't matter. Roanoke manager "didn't want it on their floor". So I have to pick it up by appointment at your convenience rather than tomorrow afternoon? Didn't matter. What gives? Obviously not a liability thing- they were happy to sell me the bike in the box as long as I was willing to wait a day, go to a different city, and show up precisely when they preferred (when I was out of town). As they had told me the regional manager was coming into town and the communication seemed to oddly revolve around winning rather than selling me the bike I told the 2nd manager to give my number to the regional manager and that we could either work the issue out (wherein I simply hand someone a credit card and receive a bike) or I would just return the items purchased last week (incl. helmet, gloves, chain, vehicle rack, etc ). If I could have returned the first bike I would have (although it wasn't ridden it had been purchased over 24 hours ago). Interestingly, I was told that 24 hours was the policy but the store manager could override the policy. So the manager can override policy? Uh... OK. Having spent an hour and a half of my life attempting to buy an in-stock item, my desire to attempt to assist a third manager in a second store to understand this incredibly flawed internal logic had vanished. No call from the district manager yet so in the end I returned the above items to the Roanoke store as bike accessories do me no good without a bike. Despite my best efforts, and an hour and a half of my life, I could not hand anyone at Dicks my money today. Weird.

First time at Fleet Feet store and was thoroughly impressed with every single detail of their…read moreoperation in Roanoke. I popped in to purchase a pair of Hoka's that were on hold for me while the n town this weekend. I came into the store not expecting much and was wowed! A huge floor space that does not served overcrowded. However a tremendous inventory of shoes, socks and other merchandise. I also picked up a few pair of Feetures socks, but they have several different brands too. I was disappointed they had few selections in Large. I found it cool that they have a 3D in sole maker. I've never seen one before. Several staff asked me for help as I browsed. I tried my shoes on with personal attention loosening the string and tying them up. I've yet to get this level of service from even my own local store at home. Checkout was smooth and I was enrolled in their rewards program. You can use the points for online purchases too! I thought the overall value of my purchase was very good. My items were quality, not cheap and I'm fine with this. Now as I travel I will look for Fleet Feet. But I feel certain Roanoke has something special going on.

Friendly staff great service , first time here have recommended to friends. Bought shoes, inserts…read moreand socks, very comfortable.

Love this place. Personally, as a nascar fan there's not many places where you can get collectibles…read morelike diecast without buying online. But this place has it all. If you do like sports of any sort, not only nascar, this place will have something you like, guaranteed. If you're in the area, check them out. You won't be disappointed.

Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Lots of fun stuff for sports fans on every budget. They go out…read moreof the way to find particular items of interest if you name your favorite team or player. Super family friendly and lots to shop through.

The day I went, all I saw was clothing that was marked 30% off. Hardly worth the drive to look…read morearound. They had free cookies & cider for customers which was nice. Thought about buying a $99 belt that I thought was 75% off, only to find out that the 75% off sign applied to a shelf with only two stocking hats. The discounted price on the belt was still $70-$75. Prices too high for an outlet.

I like American Eagle clothes but the employees in this store are enough to keep me out forever!…read more They are all what look to be 18 year old high school, perhaps getting ready for college, girls who are RUDE. They act as if asking any questions or even asking for a fitting room is a waste of their time. They will absolutely not be getting any of my money at this particular store! I do not recommend.

I was visiting my sister in Roanoke and she told me about these amazing boutiques. I was excited to…read morestop in Bittersweet. They had cute clothes but I did not like how I was being treated. For starters they were watching me like a hawk when I was trying dresses on. Once I was done, I decided to be helpful and put the clothes back. After I did that, one of the workers asked me where I put the clothes. I told her I put them back, and then she proceeded to check all the pieces that I tried on. Then as I was leaving, they called me back in asking where I put the one dress because they could not find it. I walked right in and found it in 30 seconds and I felt like I knew the store better than the employee. I understand that they have a job to do and have to make sure people do not steal but I felt judged the moment I walked in. I felt like I was accused of stealing and if they are so worried about people stealing then put sensors on their clothes. The only reason I gave it 3 stars instead of 1 star is because they had cute clothes.

I was just there with some friends this weekend and we thought the clothes were cute, but…read moreoverpriced. A dress that has princess polly quality was $98. When I saw the price tag I put I back because I did not think it was worth the price. I do not have an issue with spending a lot of money on clothing, but I want to buy quality pieces that will last. The entire time the owner watched us like a hawk and when I went to try on a top she started to call me and my friends poor within earshot. I have never felt so disrespected. We said something to them and they looked completely unbothered about being rude.