Bass Pro who? Cabela’s, a hunting, fishing and outdoor gear retailer, announced today plans to bring the Cabela’s experience to Cheektowaga. Construction on the 88,000-square-foot store is scheduled to begin this fall in a Benderson Development owned plaza on Walden Avenue south of Galleria Mall.
Cabela’s expects to open the store – its first New York location – in the fall of 2014. Benderson is also planning to construct a 110-room, Home2Suites hotel on the west side of Burlington Coat Factory facing the Thruway. Benderson Development had been working with retailer Bass Pro on developing a store on the former Aud site in Canalside until those plans where quashed in 2010.
“We are very excited to bring the Cabela’s retail experience to New York,” said Cabela’s Chief Executive Officer Tommy Millner. “We have thousands of loyal customers across the state who are passionate for the outdoors and who share the Cabela’s lifestyle. Cheektowaga’s proximity to Canada, where we also have a loyal following, makes this the perfect location.”
The store is expected to employ up to 200 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees. It will be located at the southwest corner of I-90 and Walden Ave. in a shopping center to be renamed “Cabela’s Crossing.”
The building’s exterior will reflect Cabela’s popular 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. The interior will be built in Cabela’s next-generation layout, designed to surround customers in an outdoor-like experience with museum-quality wildlife displays.
“We are extremely pleased for the opportunity to bring the very first Cabela’s to New York State and especially proud to bring it to our hometown,” said Randy Benderson, President, Benderson Development Co.
In addition to thousands of quality outdoor products, the store will include a large mountain replica, a Gun Library, Bargain Cave, Boat Shop, Indoor Archery Range, Deli and Fudge Shop.
Currently Cabela’s operates 44 retail stores across North America. The Sidney, Nebraska-based company has announced plans to open 14 new stores over the next two years.
“Local residents love to celebrate the outdoors and the addition of Cabela’s will certainly be welcomed by fishing, camping and boating enthusiasts as well as sportsmen across the region,” said Congressman Brian Higgins who was instrumental in nixing the Bass Pro deal downtown.