Cabela’s Incorporated is in negotiations to build one of its destination retail stores in Gonzales, Louisiana, with plans for the new store to be open by early 2006.
Cabela’s is currently working with the City of Gonzales and others to finalize an incentive package that would bring Cabela’s to Gonzales, and Mayor John Berthelot has spearheaded an effort to put approval of the package on the ballot for a vote on April 23 of this year. The package would allow Cabela’s to be reimbursed for public infrastructure improvements in the area using sales tax revenues generated by the store. Though details are still being discussed and the measure must be approved by vote, construction on the 175,000-square-foot store could begin as early as this spring.
“Our comprehensive market research showed that Gonzales, between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, is an ideal location and is in the midst of a concentration of Cabela’s customers,” said Cabela’s President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Highby. “Gonzales is also adjacent to the well-traveled Interstate 10 and Louisiana Highway 30 intersection, which serves as the hub of a huge expanse of sporting opportunities in the southern region of the state – including nearby freshwater and coastal saltwater fishing and legendary bayou country hunting for waterfowl and other game species.”
Local support for the Cabela’s store continues to be strong, with many city leaders and local residents in favor of the project.
“I am truly looking forward to the positive impact this type of retail destination facility will bring to our community. The creation of jobs and new development from the construction of Cabela’s in Gonzales would be phenomenal,” said Gonzales Mayor John A. Berthelot. “I, along with the city council and the residents of Gonzales, look forward to the opportunity to work with Cabela’s to make this a reality.”
Business owners and advocates in the surrounding area also see the benefits of the store and the additional economic development that has come with the opening of Cabela’s stores in other communities.
“The Ascension Chamber of Commerce is excited to support the location of a Cabela’s sporting goods store in the City of Gonzales,” said Alice Bourque, President and CEO of the Ascension Chamber of Commerce. “The City of Gonzales has actively been working with Cabela’s to locate the store within the city in the anticipation of the creation of an estimated 350 jobs and the attraction of thousands of consumers from surrounding parishes and states. The Chamber strongly feels that Cabela’s will play a pivotal role in the overall economic development of the area, and will be prosperous for both residents and local businesses for many years to come.”
The store, which would be built on a 32-acre site at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Louisiana Highway 30, would be the largest outdoor sports store in Louisiana. Cabela’s claims it has the potential to boost sales for existing area businesses, as well as draw new complementary businesses to the area.
To operate the new store, Cabela’s expects to employ as many as 400 people, who will join the Cabela’s family of more than 9,300 employees. Employees are expected to come from Gonzales and the surrounding area to join Cabela’s family of staff members famous for their outdoor lifestyle and intimate knowledge of outdoor products.
“We are highly interested in building this store in Gonzales. Louisiana is truly a sportsman’s paradise and its residents are the embodiment of the Cabela’s lifestyle,” said Highby. “The Cabela’s Retail experience is the perfect complement to the many hunting, fishing and outdoor opportunities Louisiana offers, and will bring residents of Louisiana and the many sportsmen and women that visit the state an opportunity to touch and try on our products before they head outdoors.”
The Company also stated that though the site has been identified and a real estate contract inked, there are still several details to work out before the store can become a reality. If the agreement is reached, construction is expected to begin as soon as possible. Plans also call for the building of complementary businesses, such as motels, restaurants and other travel-related services, in conjunction with the new store.
Cabela’s currently has 10 retail locations. The newest, a 176,000-square-foot facility in Wheeling, W.Va., opened in August of 2004. Four new stores have been announced by Cabela’s in the past year. Currently under construction are a 230,000-square-foot store in Fort Worth, Texas; a 185,000-square-foot store in Buda, Texas; and a 150,000-square-foot store in Lehi, Utah. Cabela’s also has announced plans to build stores in Rogers, Minn., in late 2005 or spring 2006, Wheat Ridge, Colo., in 2006 and another in East Rutherford, N.J., in 2007.
