601 Sports: A family business in Mississippi

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — What started as one young man’s dream in his hometown of Vicksburg has grown into a family enterprise with four locations across Mississippi.

Jason Martin-Nez, whose love for athletics, hunting, and fishing shaped much of his childhood, turned his passion into a career in 2010 when he opened 601 Sports in the former Sports Center building on Halls Ferry Road. Fifteen years later, the business has expanded to Brookhaven, Meridian, and, as of just weeks ago, Laurel.

At the heart of the company is more than just sporting goods—it’s family. Inside the Vicksburg store, it’s not uncommon to see Jason’s mother, Cindy Martin-Nez, moving quickly through the aisles, greeting customers with the ease of someone who treats them like neighbors. Behind the scenes, his father, Randy Martin-Nez, keeps the operation running smoothly. And after graduating from Louisiana Tech, Jason’s younger brother, Ryno Martin-Nez, traded his baseball uniform for a business partnership, bringing his own brand of energy and determination to the company.

“The name 601 Sports pays homage to where it all started,” Jason said during the Laurel grand opening ceremony. “This wouldn’t be possible without the support of our community and the amazing team we have. We are more than just a sporting goods store. We are a family business that is proud to serve Mississippi.”

The Laurel location represents not only growth for the company, but also an opportunity for the community. Jason pledged support for local schools, athletic teams, and the city’s future.

“We look forward to supporting residents, schools, and teams, and being part of the huge growth happening in the communities we serve,” he said.

601 Sports has contracts with major junior colleges across Mississippi, including Hinds Community College Athletics, providing all of their sporting goods and uniform needs.

Jason credited the expansion to the dedication of employees across all stores, many of whom helped prepare the Laurel location for its opening.

“We don’t have a setup team that comes in and does all of this; we pull resources from everywhere,” he said. “It puts a strain on our other stores, so I want to say I’m proud of our team and the way they’ve handled it.”

From one Vicksburg storefront to four Mississippi cities, the Martin-Nez family has built more than a business; they’ve built a legacy rooted in passion, community, and family ties.

Visit them at any of their physical locations. Vicksburg’s location is at 3500 Pemberton Square Blvd, or visit them online at www.601sports.com.