Cabela’s Incorporated and the City of Allen broke ground Thursday on what will be the third Cabela’s store in Texas, joining the Fort Worth and Buda locations.
Cabela’s expects to open the 100,000-square-foot store located on Cabela Drive between U.S. Highway 75 and Allen Station Parkway, on the southern border of The Village at Allen, in early spring of 2011.
The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by more than 175 area businesspeople, community leaders and elected officials, served as a celebration of the partnership formed between Cabela’s and the city, which company executives credited with making the Allen store a reality.
Cabela’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Michael Copeland, a Texas native, said he was especially excited about making the World’s Foremost Outfitter even more accessible to the state’s residents, who make outdoor recreation a way of life.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since we opened the Fort Worth and Buda stores,” Copeland said. “It’s the success of those stores that has paved the way for the Allen store and for that, we are incredibly grateful to the people of Texas.”
Copeland offered Allen Mayor Stephen Terrell a commemorative shovel as a token of the company’s appreciation for the city’s hard work in bringing another Cabela’s store to the Lone Star State. The mayor said he expected the much-anticipated store to bring economic growth not only to the city, but also the region.
“It has been a long-term, strategic goal of the city council to make Allen a destination,” said Terrell. “Cabela’s brings to Allen a true ‘destination’ store and once visitors arrive for the Cabela’s experience, they will enjoy more great shopping, dining and entertainment options. This will be an economic boost for Allen and the entire region.”
The store interior will feature an aquarium, gun library, boat shop, general store and bargain cave among the famous Cabela’s conservation-themed wildlife displays and trophy animal mounts. The building’s exterior will reflect Cabela’s traditional store model with log construction, stonework, wood siding and metal roofing. A large glass storefront will allow customers to view much of the store’s interior as they approach the building.
“This will be an exceptional store thanks to an already outstanding customer base in the area,” Copeland said. “This is an exciting time for Cabela’s as we look forward to being a part of the growing Allen community.”
