Camo, Lures and Guns, Oh My!

Cabela's gets ready to open their doors Thursday, May 5, in Springfield.

Cabela’s will make some dreams come true when they open a new store at the Springfield Gateway Mall on Thursday, May 5. This will mark the second location for Cabela’s on the West Coast, with the nearest Cabela’s stationed in Lacey, Wash. Cabela’s will be located on the west side of the Gateway Mall, a space previously occupied by Ashley Furniture Homestore.

Cabela’s stores offer thousands of outdoor products, including fishing, hunting and camping gear. The store comes equipped with wildlife displays, an aquarium, trophy animal mounts, a “gun library,” fly fishing shop, general store and bargain cave.

Cabela’s is based in Nebraska, but decided to make use of Oregon’s outdoor recreational culture. “It really is an area filled with wonderful outdoor activities, so it makes sense from a fit perspective,” said Cabela’s spokesman John Castillo.

The Springfield store will employ 150 to 200 people. Cabela’s location along the I-5 corridor will appeal to avid recreationalists. Although the store is not as wide as the Lacey store, it will reflect the company’s next-generation layout, having the ability to hold as much product as the larger stores.

Cabela’s is one of the largest outdoor retailers in the nation and its expansion on the West Coast has been long awaited. A large turnout is expected during the grand opening, based upon the Lacey store’s drawing 3.5 million visitors in its first year open. Whatever the turnout, however, those who visit are sure to enjoy what they find. According to Dan Egan, executive director of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, visiting one of the Cabela stores is an “experience.” “It’s like bringing the outdoors indoors.”