Academy Sports + Outdoors

Easily one of the greatest stores in the United States! Guns, ammunition, barbecue grills, sauces and spices, coolers and so much more. Store is exceptionally clean and well spaced with plenty of room to move a cart about. The only downside is the staff is not really walking around, I needed help one time and couldn’t find anyone and in the firearms section, no one even said hello or acknowledge me when they were standing there. It was fine, did I really need more ammunition or a new firearm?

Im typing this review because the way my husband and I were treated today at Academy Sports felt racist and discriminatory. From the moment we walked into the firearm section to pick up an order, we were treated differently. We were not greeted. Our questions were ignored. The employee helping us acted like he did not want us there. At the same time, we clearly saw other customers being treated with respect, spoken to kindly, and helped right away. The manager to that section , Mr. Nic, made things worse. After he took our order number, the manager became completely careless. Instead of finishing our pickup and letting us leave, he casually turned and started talking about personal matters with the employee including asking about his “baby mama” and talking about other workers who work there. He showed no urgency and no awareness that we were standing right in front of him waiting. I was not expecting friendliness or conversation. I did not need a smile. All I expected was basic courtesy. help the customer, complete the order, and then continue personal conversations after. What hurt the most was the way we were looked at and treated. We were watched more closely and treated with clear distrust, while others were not. The tone, body language, and lack of respect made it very clear that we were being judged because of how we looked. That feeling stays with you. It is painful and humiliating. Everyone can have a bad day, but this was not a bad day. This was a lack of respect and basic decency. No one should leave a store feeling uncomfortable, ignored, or judged when they are trying to make a legal purchase.Because of this experience, I will not be returning.