Cabela's is in negotiations to build one of its large-format destination retail stores on a 28.6 acre site near Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Plans call for the 160,000-square-foot outdoor gear superstore to be open by late 2006 or early 2007.
“Our comprehensive research has shown the sportsmen and women of the area are dedicated Cabela's customers, and that spending time outdoors hunting, fishing, hiking and camping is a big part of the culture in the Grand Canyon State,” said Dennis Highby, President and CEO of Cabela's Inc. “They live the Cabela's lifestyle with great passion and enthusiasm.”
Highby also noted that Glendale in particular is an ideal Arizona location for a Cabela's destination superstore. “We are excited to bring our world-famous retail experience to our great customers who live in Glendale and the surrounding area, as well as to the thousands of hunters, anglers and other visitors who travel through the area every year. Glendale is a dynamic, fast-growing city and combines the best of the Old West and modern shopping and entertainment. We believe a Cabela's store will be the perfect fit for Glendale and all of Arizona.”
“We are thrilled to be part of Zanjero, which will be a focal point of a lot of exciting activity and developments,” Highby said. “And, being part of the surrounding sports complex – with Cardinals Stadium and all the other sensational things going on nearby – is icing on the cake.”
To operate the new store, Cabela's expects to employ as many as 400 people, who will join the Cabela's family of employees carrying on the Cabela's tradition of excellent customer service. Employees are expected to come from Glendale and the surrounding area to join Cabela's family of staff members famous for their outdoor lifestyle and intimate knowledge of outdoor products. 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 currently has 11 retail locations. The newest, a 230,000-square-foot facility in Fort Worth, Texas , opened in May of 2005. Seven additional new stores have been announced by Cabela's in the past year. Currently under construction are an 185,000-square-foot store in Buda, Texas; a 150,000-square-foot store in Lehi, Utah, both opening in 2005, and an 185,000-square-foot store in Rogers, Minn., expected to open in November, 2005. Cabela's also has announced plans to open stores in Gonzales, La., in 2006; Wheat Ridge, Colo., and Reno, Nev., in late 2006 or early 2007 and East Rutherford, N.J., in 2007.
“With the amazing outdoor recreation and sporting opportunities in Arizona and the southwestern United States, Glendale is an ideal location,” said Highby. “The Cabela's retail experience will complement the many, varied outdoor adventures the region has to offer.”
The Arizona store will be built in Cabela's trademark style that is intended to evoke the feeling of the outdoors. Cabela's stores are known as educational and entertainment attractions, mixing a decor of museum-quality animal displays with colorful dioramas, aquariums stocked with native fish and a centerpiece indoor mountain displaying trophy animals interacting in realistic re-creations of their natural habitats.
