Participants from Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education are starting their own retail business the AAYTE Prince Pro Shop, a store that will sell tennis equipment, apparel and accessories, located at the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Center, 4842 Ridge Ave. in East Falls.
The concept, developed between Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education and Doug Fonte, President of Prince Americas, one of the worlds top producers of tennis products, to give AAYTE teenagers the practical, real world experience of operating a business.
“Our boys and girls will be learning entrepreneurial skills, retail operations and customer relations while running a real business,” said Tina Tharp, AAYTE Executive Director. “This unique opportunity ties in perfectly with the Life Skills segment of our total program of tennis and academic program.”
All proceeds from the Prince Pro Shop will go back to Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education for programming, scholarships and assistance to needy youngsters in the program.
A ribbon cutting on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. will mark the official opening of the Prince Pro Shop. Joining the young entrepreneurs will be Fonte, Tharp, Jerry Johnson, Chairman of the Board, Raye Johnson, Jerrys wife who has been training the youngsters on their sales and interpersonal relations, and Eric Doloway, AAYTE Education Director.
On sale at the Prince Pro Shop are racquets, grips, stringing, T-shirts, visors, caps, wristbands, sneakers, socks, towels and more.
