Omega Sports Inc., a privately held sporting goods retailer with 14 retail locations in NC, has been acquired by Craig and Kristin Carlock of Greensboro, NC. Effective immediately, Craig Carlock, former CEO of The Fresh Market, is the retailer’s new CEO.
“Since moving to Greensboro in 1999, I have been impressed with Omega Sports’ outstanding customer service and product offering,” said Carlock, a seasoned retail executive. “In my professional and personal life, I believe in supporting local business development, so this opportunity with Omega Sports is particularly gratifying.”
“As a result of the founders’ leadership, superb store management, dedicated employees and a loyal customer base, Omega Sports is well-positioned for future success,” added Carlock. “I look forward to continuing the path forward.”
Founded in 1978 by Phil Bowman and Thom Rock and later joined by Robert Hager, Omega Sports has grown from a single Greensboro location to 14 retail locations spanning the Triad, Triangle, Charlotte area and beyond.
“After dedicating nearly four decades to Omega Sports, we took extraordinary care to identify an acquisition partner who would stay true to our company’s people-first values and culture,” said founders Bowman and Rock. “We are glad our company will transition to Craig and Kristin, who have strong local ties and share our commitment to our employees, customers and the communities we serve.”
Added Hager, “We are excited about Craig’s proven retail track record.”
Bowman and Hager will continue to be investors in the company and will maintain executive roles while Rock is leaving the company to pursue other interests and volunteer work.
Prior to acquiring Omega Sports, Carlock was president and CEO of The Fresh Market, a Greensboro, NC-based specialty grocery retailer. After first moving to North Carolina in 1985 to attend Davidson College, where he earned a B.A. in economics, he received an MBA in finance and marketing from University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
The retailer operates 14 stores in North Carolina, including in Greensboro, Burlington, Cary, Charlotte, Durham, Greenville, High Point, Huntersville, Morrisville, Raleigh, Wilmington, Wilson and Winston-Salem.
Photo courtesy Omega Sports
