Cabela's Incorporated plans to build one of its destination retail stores adjacent to Interstate 65 in Greenwood, IN, if negotiations are successfully concluded. Construction on the 125,000 square-foot retail store could begin this fall and the store could open for business as early as fall of 2008. To operate the new store, Cabela's would employ more than 200 people from Greenwood and the surrounding area.
The new Cabela's, sited on 21 acres, would be part of a larger retail and entertainment project planned for approximately 100 acres along Interstate 65 and bordered by County Line Road and Graham Road. Focus Group of Valparaiso, Ind., has plans to develop a hotel and water park on five acres adjacent to the Cabela's store.
“We're very pleased we're close to bringing the Cabela's retail store experience to our loyal Indiana customers,” said Dennis Highby, Cabela's President and Chief Executive Officer. “We already have thousands of great customers throughout the entire state and region who enjoy Indiana's abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, and we're excited we could soon be more accessible to them than ever before.”
Highby added that a Cabela's would attract business from the region's residents as well as millions of visitors from surrounding states, spurring new economic development and jobs in the region.
“We're excited to be partnering with Cabela's,” said Robert Churchfield, Vice President of Development for Focus Hotels. “Like Cabela's, Splash Universe is all about value for families. We provide a total indoor water park experience for a value price, and we look forward to being a part of such an exciting entertainment and shopping development.”
“We have been working for over two years on creating an exceptional development at this location that compliments the retail Mecca Greenwood is known for,” said Mayor Charles Henderson of Greenwood. “What makes this even better is the tourism theme provides an added level of shopping venue that gives Greenwood a true niche in the retail selection and will create additional spin-off opportunities for our community and across the state.”
“It has been extremely exciting working with the Cabela's organization on their location to our community,” said Cheryl Morphew, Executive Director of the Johnson County Development Corporation. “Their family friendly environment will showcase the door to our county and promote Greenwood and Johnson County as a featured tourist destination.”
Cabela's currently operates 19 retail locations and, in the remainder of 2007, plans to open seven additional new stores in Gonzales, La.; Hoffman Estates, Ill.; East Hartford, Conn.; Hammond, Ind.; Reno, Nev.; Post Falls, Idaho; and Lacey, Wash.
