The original NU2U location, which has been closed for renovation since April, will open its doors Thursday as Laramie's only sports gear consignment store.

Co-owner Rob Harder says the building features all-new flooring and paint as well as a mural, giving it a "fresh new look."

"We're looking to consign anything that's an outdoor sport or a team sport that's in-season," Harder says, adding that Thursday will be a soft opening. A grand opening date has not been set; Harder hopes it will be sometime in the early fall.

NU2U has been consistently hiring since expanding into their larger clothing store at the corner of Fifth and Garfield, and Harder says the new store will likely require additional employees.

"We've hired some people lately and probably will be hiring again before the fall once we kind of figure out what our needs are as the store gets open," says Harder. "We've been consistently adding employees for over a year now."

Harder says an average of five to six full-time employees at the original location has grown to 10 full-time employees since the transition. Harder adds that community support has bolstered NU2U's expansion.

"We've done all the painting and flooring ourselves pretty much, so that's helped tremendously so we could afford the remodel," Harder says. "We're definitely 'do it yourself' kind of folks, and that way it's the way we want it."

Harder says anticipation for the new store has been high among NU2U clientele, many of whom have been asking about the sports store since the original location closed.

"There's definitely parts of the building we're still finishing up, but we wanted people to be able to buy and consign sporting goods before the summer was over, so we're opening up," Harder says.

The new sports store will be open Thursday through Monday. Hours of operation will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m., with Sunday hours running from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The store will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday

"We're excited to bring this business to the community and for the community to have somewhere to buy and sell their used sporting goods and outdoor equipment," Harder says.

More From KOWB 1290