Cabela's

[bluedogok]

We do. There is much more to do in Oklahoma than most realize. There are so many hidden treasures in this state it's unreal, well pretty much like any other state. Most people never bother to venture off the highway and/or stay in their cities that so much is missed.

As reported, we are getting a Gander Mountain, Cabela's, and we have a Bass Pro. I think we're in good shape.

Yep, you have to get out of the city to find it. Considering that none of those stores carry anything for skiing/snowboarding that doesn't seem to be a market they are looking at, at least none of those stores carry in the Denver area carry any of those items other than base layer type of clothing which covers a whole lot of other activities. Every other activity (except the deep sea adjective) is readily available in Oklahoma. I know a bunch of people from the DFW area and some from the Houston area who head to Oklahoma and Arkansas for outdoor activities, some have bought properties in Southern and Eastern Oklahoma or Western Arkansas. Many prefer the lakes in Oklahoma for recreational opportunities over the Texas lakes.

Fishing? Lots of lakes in Oklahoma, Hiking? A bunch of Eastern and Southern Oklahoma has parks, mountains and forested areas for hiking and kayak/canoeing. The Wichita Mountains is a popular hiking/climbing destination. There is a lot of hunting statewide and that is a large market segment of all three of those stores, there is a whole lot of camo to be sold in Oklahoma. REI would be a bit of an outlier because they don't have the hunting and fishing market like the other stores and have a more limited product line in comparison.

[OKVision4U]

Is this store w/ a 90K - 98K sf ? We should ask for the largest store of 110,000 sf ( Megastore w/ Archery & Restaurants ) and that it be the most ellaborate existing designs ( not watered down ) for the $3.5 M tax incentives.

...give the incentive, but make sure this is even more of a draw to OKC.

Welcome to OKC Cabela's !

[bradh]

I think all of these stores, while having many of the same offerings, can still offer their own niche. Academy and Dick's have a ton of crossover, but each do one or two areas way better than the other (Academy with outdoors, Dick's with golf/team sports). More options is ALWAYS better.

[Pete]

Keep in mind that Gander Mountain has already made public announcements about planning to come to OKC and I've heard from good sources REI is looking, too.

REI is the absolute bomb; almost a cult-like following. Their new CEO is from Stillwater and an OSU and OU Law grad.

[bradh]

All this stuff coming in is great, but when I still need the most technical stuff or ski gear, Sun & Ski on May gets my money.

[jn1780]

There comes a point where a market becomes over saturated. Not saying that's a bad thing because we wouldn't have the higher end sporting good stores if the lower end sporting good stores haven't moved in first, but I doubt all these companies will still have the same number of stores here in the city 5 to 10 years from now. I'm looking over at Dicks and Academy in particular.

[bradh]

I highly doubt you'll see any Academy or Dick's close in the metro in 5 to 10 years. They offer two different experiences, and they're both successful businesses. It's actually a bit unfair to group these two in with the Cabelas/Bass Pro/Gander Mountain group.

[Urbanized]

Funny considering how coveted Dick's was before it got here. Not disagreeing; just pointing out how much we long for the things we don't have and take for granted the things we do.

[flintysooner]

Dick's stock price lost nearly 18% a few days ago and the entire sector followed for a while.

[bradh]

Dick's is great, it's a higher end place, great golf section, and seems to carry more options on the apparel side of things. Academy is great for hunting/fishing/camping (blows Dick's away here), and carries enough of the other stuff to capture that audience too. I shop at both (although I'm partial to Academy since their HQ is in my hometown)

[Plutonic Panda]

There comes a point where a market becomes over saturated. Not saying that's a bad thing because we wouldn't have the higher end sporting good stores if the lower end sporting good stores haven't moved in first, but I doubt all these companies will still have the same number of stores here in the city 5 to 10 years from now. I'm looking over at Dicks and Academy in particular.

Not really. I would't be surprised to see more of them. The city will grow.

[jn1780]

Well every single bubble has people saying it will never end.

I will just say what at least one person says every single time. We will see. lol

[Soonerman]

There comes a point where a market becomes over saturated. Not saying that's a bad thing because we wouldn't have the higher end sporting good stores if the lower end sporting good stores haven't moved in first, but I doubt all these companies will still have the same number of stores here in the city 5 to 10 years from now. I'm looking over at Dicks and Academy in particular.

I don't see Academy or Dick's going anywhere as they both specialize in general sporting goods merchandise while Bass Pro and Cabela's are more outdoor stores.

[Plutonic Panda]

Well every single bubble has people saying it will never end.

I will just say what at least one person says every single time. We will see. lol

i guess :P

[corwin1968]

I would love to see REI come here. It's one of those "Western" state legends I keep hearing about...along with In-N-Out and Trader Joes.

REI actually has a pretty well respected cycling department complete with their own brand as well as some major brands. I'm not sure that Academy and Dick's bicycles are much higher level than Wal-Mart & Target.

[Pete]

REI also offers a bunch of classes.

I took one on bike maintenance and it was fantastic.

Most of them book up within minutes of opening.

[bchris02]

I would love to see REI come here. It's one of those "Western" state legends I keep hearing about...along with In-N-Out and Trader Joes.

REI actually has a pretty well respected cycling department complete with their own brand as well as some major brands. I'm not sure that Academy and Dick's bicycles are much higher level than Wal-Mart & Target.

REI is pretty popular in North Carolina. I don't think it's just a western chain.

[PennyQuilts]

I don't think Oklahoma and Oklahoma City have the range of outdoor options for both. Oklahoma does not have the variety of outdoor options, (mountains, rivers, hiking, deep sea fishing, skiing etc to warrant this expenditure for a second store of this type/

My goodness. Have to disagree.

[Plutonic Panda]

REI also offers a bunch of classes.

I took one on bike maintenance and it was fantastic.

Most of them book up within minutes of opening.

Wow... that's really nice! Do they have any outdoor survival classes? I've been looking for one around OKC, but couldn't find any. :/

[Pete]

As expected, the Economic Development Trust today authorized Cathy O'Connor to negotiate the incentives as previously outlined.

They asked her when she would be starting negotiations, and she laughed and said, "As soon as I'm authorized." The group then jokingly authorized her to leave the meeting soon if needed.


I believe the deal is done at Chisholm Creek, but the final incentive package will have to go back to the EDT for approval, then be forwarded to the City Council for the same.

So, we probably won't hear anything official until then, which may take a month or two.

[Pete]

Wow... that's really nice! Do they have any outdoor survival classes? I've been looking for one around OKC, but couldn't find any. :/

Yes:

Wilderness Survival: 3-Season Skills
Join REI Outdoor School for a wilderness survival class. We will provide practical tips and strategies that every outdoor traveler should know: emergency priorities; shelters; locating and accessing drinking water; and how to make your own emergency kit. You will also participate in interactive scenarios to practice and hone your skills.

They have tons of things like how to safely commute to work on your bike, how to backpack around Europe, hike ideas, etc.

They do a fantastic job and the classes are a great way to meet like-minded people.

[mkjeeves]

Cabela's just misses the mark for my hobbies as does Bass Pro. I've got a current Cabela's gift card and had a past one I really have had a hard time spending with them online. Other online retailers, and locally Academy, OKC Kayak and Backwoods get my outdoor fun money. An REI would be great to have. West OKC please.

[traxx]

Bass Pro would be much better off out by the Outlet Shoppes.

C'mon. If Bass Pro were out there then where would people park for Thunder games?


Seriously though, I think offering incentives to get Cabela's publicly commit is the cost of doing business. If we lose Cabella's then other soft commits for Chisolm Creek may back out. Places like Cabella's and Top Golf are gonna be the big ones that get the other guys to commit to Chisolm Creek.

[bluedogok]

Cabela's received incentives from Lone Tree and Thornton for the two locations in the Denver metro.

I saw an REI in what looked like a former 6-70's era grocery store in Grand Junction today but then there is a lot of that type of outdoor activity in that area of Colorado and Eastern Utah.

[corwin1968]

REI is pretty popular in North Carolina. I don't think it's just a western chain.

It's just that I always hear about REI in the context of the activities (bicycling, Crossfit, Paleo diet) I read about and a great deal of this is centered in the Western third of the country so REI and Trader Joes automatically trigger "West Coast" in my brain. Just my perception based on being a life-long, land-locked Okie.