by Malcolm Butler
The Williams family has long, strong ties to Ruston.
Five generations have attended Louisiana Tech — the fifth currently enrolled as Bulldogs — and Chris, Trey and Greg Williams’ great-great grandparents were residents of the 318 at the turn of the 19th century.
Their father Butch played football for Tech under legendary coaches Joe Aillet and Maxie Lambright in the late 1960s.
They bleed red and blue.
Residents of Minden and owners of Minden Athletic Supply for more than five decades, the Williams are now coming back to Lincoln Parish to open Ruston Athletic Supply.
“It’s always been a family dream — it’s been my dream — ever since The Sportsman was (in Ruston),” said Chris. “We were family friends with Mr. Charlie Fuller. Our plan was once Mr. Fuller (at The Sportsman) had enough of it, then we would move in.
“When that happened 15 or 20 years ago or whenever it was, the timing just wasn’t right for us. It’s been something we’ve always looked in to. Finally, I was like, you know what, it’s kind of like having a baby or buying a house, the timing is never going to be perfect. You just have to do it. What better time than the present. Let’s just do it and see what happens.”
Just do it.
For a sporting goods store that has plenty of brand names, that’s a pretty good way to look at it.
According to Chris, the 9,600 square foot store will open “sometime in September” as they await final sign offs from the Fire Marshall.
Having owned Minden Athletic Supply since 1973, Chris and Co. are more than prepared for what is in store with running a new store.
“Our team that we have now is seasoned and they know the business,” said Chris. “We can have them spread out without worrying about customer service or the day-to-day operations. We know there is a need for it. We get people from Ruston all the time telling us they wish we had a store in Ruston.”
Chris also knows the timing is right from the growth and momentum in Ruston.
“In all honesty, Buc-ee’s heard we were coming and decided to jump on our coat tails and ride the wave,” quipped Chris. “But in all seriousness, if you think about it, Ruston is one of the only growing cities in Louisiana. It’s definitely the fastest growing city north of Alexandria. And the (Ruston Sports Complex) doesn’t hurt.
“You have several moments when costs start coming in where you may second guess yourself. But there was some random fall Sunday last year where I drove through that complex and you couldn’t fit another vehicle in there. And I was like, ‘We will be okay.'”
According to Chris, Ruston Athletic Supply will offer everything from “the little kids first tee ball glove to the high school, college girl needing an expensive softball bat. Low end. High end. We have it. Dad’s spirit T-shirt for the high school. Team sports. Football. Baseball. Basketball. Track. A little bit of everything.”
Ruston Athletic Supply will also have school uniforms and local high school and college fan gear.
Chris also said that the new location would offer screen printing and embroidery, but that they would handle those orders from the Minden location for the time being.
“We do a ton of uniforms for rec leagues and travel ball,” said Chris. “We are your full-service sporting goods store similar to what we grew up with but that are now few and far between.”
Ruston Athletic Supply will be located at 1223 Commerce, just off the service road on the north side of I-20.
“We are super excited about the location being right off of I-20,” said Chris.
For more information on what Ruston Athletic Supply will entail, go to RustonAthletic.com.
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