While checking out the new Dick’s Sporting Goods store on Lohr Road in Pittsfield Township, customers can expect special athlete appearances, give-a-ways and product demonstrations planned for this weekend.

The national chain plans to celebrate the grand opening of its new location in the Waters Place Shopping Center from Nov. 4-6 after quietly opening for business Oct. 18.

During the three-day celebration, Dick’s will give away free T-shirts and Croc shoes to the first customers through the doors. It will also hand out free gift cards priced from $5 to $500.

On Nov. 5, former Detroit Red Wings player Chris Chelios will sign autographs from 1- 3 p.m. Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best will sign autographs from 2-4 p.m. Nov. 6.

There is a limit of one autograph per person, and they are only guaranteed for the first 250 people in line, according to a news release.

The store signed a lease to occupy the 35,000-square-foot former Linens ‘N Things space earlier this year, and construction on the building began May 2. Renovations included expanding the building’s footprint by 7,000 square feet with an exterior addition.

Dick’s spent years deciding on its first Washtenaw County location, coming close to building a store on Briarwood Circle in 2006 and a different site on Lohr Road in 2007.

Lauren Hobart, Dick’s chief marketing officer, said in a news release that the chain looks forward to becoming an “integrated member” of the Ann Arbor community.

“Unsurpassed customer service and the best products in the industry are the hallmarks of our stores and we're excited to bring these traditions to Ann Arbor,” she said.

The new Dick’s store is located in the same complex as Kohl’s, Best Buy and a former Borders store.

This is the 17th Dick’s Sporting Goods location in Michigan. There are 467 nationwide.

Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.