Rugged, sporty gift ideas at Stadium System

NORTH CANAAN — Stadium System has been providing team merchandise for sports teams for nearly 60 years. About 10 years ago, they opened a retail store on Ashley Falls Road,at the north end of town. 

The company’s main business is in providing custom uniforms and gear and in repairing and cleaning up football helmets.

The store was originally an outlet for sports-related products but it’s changed over the years, and now offers a wide variety of working gear. The basketballs are next to the Carhartt hats and steel-toed boots.

The store has something for your sportsminded loved ones, and for anyone who has to work outdoors or even venture out into the snow.

You can find a Spalding Outdoor Basketball for $16.99. If you already have a basketball and hoop, but you need a new net ($5.99) then they’ve got that for you, too. Maybe your soccer season just ended but you feel like it’s the perfect time to gear up for next year. Look for deals on shin guards, which range from $11 to $28. Goalie gloves are $15.99. The season is over so maybe the soccer fan in your life now needs his or her own soccer ball to practice with in the offseason; you can find that right next to the glove, with one model at $12.75 or a high-quality ball for $49.50. 

Maybe that sporty person plays a sport in the spring season, such as baseball, tennis, softball or lacrosse. In any of those cases you’re covered with a nice selection. There’s an impressive selection of baseball and softball gloves, ranging in price from $34.99 to $199.95; and there are plenty of different baseball batting helmets, all for $25.99. 

There are lacrosse sticks ($89.95) and plastic lacrosse masks ($28.00) or metal lacrosse masks ($35.99). 

Spring is also the beginning of the outdoor tennis season. New players can find tennis rackets for an entry level price of $34.75. 

Spring is a long way away (or it certainly feels that way after this week’s snowstorm). Approximately half of the store is full of racks of Carhartt sweatshirts, flannels and jackets, perfect for hiking or hunting or just shoveling the walk. There is also a large selection of Red Wing Boots and New Balance sneakers.

Mike Schopp, the Stadium System co-CEO, said that prices would drop on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving — which this year was Nov. 29). 

The store is also offering the Great Gift Giveaway: If you spend $100 at the store your name will be entered in a drawing; a winner will be chosen Dec. 20. 

That night, the store will have extended hours and light refreshments will be served. The winning names will be picked at 7 p.m. 

The Stadium System retail shop is at 297 Ashley Falls Road  in North Canaan. It’s open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 860-824-4300.