New Englanders and New Yorkers driving up to L.L. Bean's flagship store in Freeport, Me will soon have to drive right past a brand new Cabela’s on the Maine Turnpike.


Nebraska-based Cabela's said it will open a 125,000-square-footi store in Scarborough, Maine, at 5:00 p.m. on May 15 about 25 miles south of L.L. Bean's flagship store.  L.L. Bean, which has ten stores stretching from Maine to Tysons Corner, Va., expects to open three stores this year in Chicago, Pennsylvania and New York.

Cabela's first store in Maine is located at the Gateway at Scarborough on the Haigis Parkway at Exit 42 of the Maine Turnpike.


Like L.L. Bean's headquarters store, Cabela's stores are often a tourist attracting, drawing shoppers from hundreds of miles. Cabela's claims customers spend 3.5 hours on average at its stores.


“We are thrilled to bring Cabela's to Maine, one of the country’s finest outdoor destinations,” said Dennis Highby, Cabela’s president and CEO. “Maine’s natural resources and its many passionate outdoor enthusiasts living in the region as well as the many tourists it attracts from out of state, make the area a perfect fit for Cabela's.”


The Scarborough store will feature Cabela’s trademark museum-type displays, featuring:



  • hundreds of animals in museum-quality dioramas, including an African scene, that re-create animals in action in their native habitats;
  • Cabela’s hallmark two-story Conservation Mountain, complete with running waterfalls and stream, a trout pond and wild game in their distinctive habitats;
  • a 10,700-gallon aquarium, stocked with freshwater fish, including those native to Maine; 
  • an original bronze signature entranceway sculpture, which won't be unveiled until the store opening.

Other highlights include a laser shooting gallery, gun library, restaurant, general store, fly fishing shop, bargain cave and gift shop.


Store manager Daniel Whitcher will hire up to 250 employees. Product offerings will include hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, boating and wildlife watching gear, as well as outdoor clothing and outdoors-styled gifts and furnishings.

Cabela’s Scarborough store hours will be Monday – Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., and 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Sunday.


Cabela’s Incorporated, headquartered in Sidney, Nebraska, claims to be the world’s largest direct marketer, and a leading specialty retailer, of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise.