Cabela's Incorporated announced that it is currently in negotiations to build one of its stores in Richfield, Wisconsin. Cabela's would locate on an approximately 60-acre site in Washington County generally described as the triangle formed by the intersections of U.S. Highway 41, U.S. Highway 45 and State Highway 145 in the towns of Richfield and Polk. Plans call for approximately 20 acres of the 60-acre site to be developed by additional businesses that could include hotels, restaurants, complementary retail stores or other travel and tourism-related businesses.
“Bringing this store to Richfield has been a major cooperative effort by the towns of Richfield and Polk, Governor Jim Doyle's Administration, Representative Sue Jeskewitz and Washington County among others,” said Ken Miller, chairman of the Washington County Board. “Based on the potential for positive economic development and the number of jobs that would come to Cabela's retail store, we are excited about what the future holds for Richfield, Washington County and the Metro-Milwaukee Region.”
If ongoing negotiations for the project conclude successfully, Cabela's expects to open the retail showroom, which could be as large as 165,000-square-feet in size, in late summer or early fall of 2006. This would be the second Cabela's destination retail store in Wisconsin. The company currently operates a smaller retail store and massive distribution center in Prairie du Chien.
“We have received incredible support from our partners in the region, as well as the thousands of local Cabela's fans and outdoor enthusiasts in the area, and we look forward to the opportunity to be a part of the community,” said Dennis Highby, president and CE of Cabela's Inc. “With the storied outdoor tradition in Wisconsin and the upper Midwest, we expect the Richfield showroom to be a resounding success and a great addition to Washington County and the greater Milwaukee business landscape.”
To operate this new store, Cabela's expects to employ approximately 400 people from Washington County, Milwaukee and the adjacent towns and villages. Product offerings would include hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, boating and wildlife-watching gear, as well as outdoor clothing, and outdoor-styled gifts and furnishings.
Cabela's currently has 13 retail locations. The newest, a 170,000-square-foot store in Lehi, Utah, opened Aug. 25, 2005. Currently under construction is a 185,000-square-foot store in Rogers, Minn., which will open in October, 2005. Cabela's also has announced plans to open stores in Gonzales, La., and Glendale, Ariz., in 2006; and Reno, Nev., Wheat Ridge, Colo., East Rutherford, N.J., and East Hartford, Conn., in 2007.
