Jan. 20—Nolan Lang said the decision to sell the family sporting goods business of 62 years was not easy, but he just felt the time was right.
“I’m tired. Lang, 67 said it was time for him to move on. He sold Lang’s Sporting Goods of Decatur in mid-December to Chris Terry, 38. “Chris will give 100% of his energy to the business and is a real go-getter. He reminds me of my younger self. I made a good decision. It’s something I can live with. It will be beneficial for everyone, I believe.”
Vernon Lang, Lang’s Sporting Goods founder, was a Lawrence County High football player who later became a coach. Athens College also had a football team. He was also a soldier in the U.S. Army at Fort Rucker. Vernon Lang became Hatton High’s first principal after leaving education to enter the sporting goods industry.
Nolan Lang stated that his father opened Decatur’s Decatur business in May 1961 on Bank Street. It moved to at the most five other locations, including in the Decatur Shopping Center’s former Grant’s Building.
Vernon Lang was named the National Sporting Goods Retailer of the year in 1985. Lang continued to manage Lang’s franchises at Athens and Huntsville, Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. In 1988, the company was facing financial difficulties and was reduced to Decatur. Nolan Lang assumed control of business operations.
Now, the store at 411 11th St. S.E. D2 Sports and Outdoors has been renamed. Terry, who is the owner of Dixie Diamond Sports, Moulton, explained that D2 stands for Dixie Diamond Sports No. 2.
Terry claimed that the new store is approximately 10.500 square feet in size with an additional 4,500 square foot dedicated to retail sales.
Terry stated that he wanted to expand his brand beyond Lawrence County and reached out to Lang in September to purchase the business.
He stated, “We were capable of reaching an agreement.” “Expanding my business to Decatur has been a long-held dream of mine. … Customers will feel like they are part of a local community and not just another customer walking past the doors.
His Dixie Diamond store at Court Street in Moulton will remain open, he said. Danuelle Terry is his wife, and she will manage the Moulton location. Since 2011, the Moulton store has been owned and operated by them.
Chris Terry explained that the Decatur shop will offer guns and fishing tackle to customers.
“We’ll also carry lots of school clothes that customers can pick up off the shelf,” he stated.
D2 will still have embroidery and screen printing.
He said that his wife is a skilled designer and they will be adding banners to the existing trophies and awards. “Nolan had a wonderful customer base and we plan to take that to the next level with my work ethic, vision, and passion.”
Terry has just finished painting and remodeling the interior of the store. The entrance is marked with the D2 sign.
Terry stated Lang’s employees will remain on board and that he is interested in expanding his staff. Terry said that people with sales and graphic design experience will be wanted.
He stated that the DTF (direct-to-film) process would open up more opportunities for corporate and retail customers. “It transforms how you decorate.” The DTF process transfers printed images onto fabric.
Lang stated that Nancy Davis, the store’s long-time bookkeeper, also retired in December.
What’s next for Lang
He indicated that he could move to Dauphin Island off the Gulf Coast to buy a boat and purchase a bayboat. He said, “I intend to go fishing down that way and go hunting for whitetail deer in southern Illinois.”
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