SK will get a kick out of its newest store

Considering more than 1,800 youngsters from Port Orchard play soccer, Becky Prichard was amazed there wasn’t a store nearby to meet the needs of soccer families.

Becky and her husband Doug decided to change that situation by opening their Seriously Soccer store at the upper level of the South Kitsap Mall.

The space became available when the owners of Kids decided to downsize their toy store.

As a parent of two soccer players, Becky Prichard said getting a soccer supply store in Port Orchard was long overdue.

“We have daughters who play soccer and we always had to drive to Tacoma or Silverdale trying find supplies,” Prichard said. “The idea came to me one day and told Doug ‘soccer store,’ and he said ‘what a great idea.’ ”

It was only a couple months later their dreams came true.

Prichard said the store will be geared towards older youths, but there will be plenty of supply for youngsters.

Seriously Soccer sells shoes, jerseys, warm-ups, shorts, soccer balls, shin guards, goalie gloves, etc.

Prichard said the spring line of materials is depleted but she will be acquiring the latest fall line within the next couple of weeks.

Seriously Soccer carries all the major brands except for Nike and Addidas, which the Prichards are awaiting clearance to sell.

Being surrounded by soccer for nearly 10 years, the Prichards aren’t going into this business blindly.

“We know what’s what,” Prichard said. “We’ve been talking to girls on my daughters’ teams and have asked them what they like. We will try to satisfy the little ones, too.”

Prichard said she anticipates the store will succeed because soccer is no longer a seasonal sport.

“It’s a year-round sport,” she said. “They play year-round and they don’t want to quit playing.”

Prichard said she hopes to build a strong relationship with area teams and coaches who are looking for the latest in uniforms and warm-ups.

But the biggest draw in the store has been soccer shoes and shorts.

The common problem, Prichard said, is that most of the area stores do not carry shoe sizes of the younger soccer players and the availability of shorts has been equally frustrating.

The paint has barely dried on the front of the store but Prichard said she’s already received a large number of compliments for opening up a soccer store.

“They are so happy to see supplies here,” Prichard said. “We’ll do whatever is necessary to make it easy for them to get what they need.”

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.