My News Journal column from August 1, 2013.
Cabela’s announced in August 2012 their plans to open a 110,000-square-foot hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor recreation merchandise store near the Christiana Mall in 2014, but rumors that Cabela’s executives are reconsidering their plans have been spreading through Delaware since the beginning of this year.
Because news travels quickly through the relatively small Delaware hunting community, during the past several months I have fielded dozens of inquiries about the proposed Christiana Cabela’s through my website, via email and in person. Many questions unassumingly focused on the specific location of the proposed store, construction time frames, the store’s opening date and potential employment opportunities, but other questions included innuendo that pointed toward cancellation of the Cabela’s plan.
National and local gun rights debates, regulations and legislation became increasingly hot topics in the wake of December’s Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, Conn. Legislators – including some in Delaware – proposed or considered proposing new laws regulating the types of firearms, magazines and ammunition that may be owned, purchased, sold or used. Some private organizations and retailers also implemented new gun policies that many sportsmen disagree with.
Many outdoors-related retailers, outfitters and manufacturers took a stand against implemented or proposed gun regulations and policies by boycotting events like this year’s Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show that was scheduled for February in Harrisburg, Pa. Show organizers banned the sale and display of modern sporting rifles (otherwise known as assault weapons) from the show. Consequently, Cabela’s – along with hundreds of other show exhibitors – announced it would not participate in the show because of the ban, and the show was ultimately canceled.
Around the same time the Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show was canceled, Delaware hunters, target shooters and other gun owners were learning of the possibility that new gun laws could be introduced in Delaware. It seems emotional reactions of some Delawareans ignited rumors that Cabela’s executives were abandoning their plans for a Delaware location because they feared any new Delaware gun laws would hurt or prevent gun sales.
With excitement, jobs and tourism dollars tied to the opening of the Christiana Cabela’s store, it’s understandable that some Delaware residents are uneasy.
However, the rumors of Cabela’s abandoning its plans for a Delaware store are false, according to Wesley Remmer, communications specialist for Cabela’s.
Remmer confirmed Monday that plans are still on track for a spring 2014 opening of the Christiana Cabela’s. “We are really excited about opening our Delaware store,” Remmer said. He added construction at the Christiana location (adjacent to the Christiana Mall along Stanton Christiana Road and near I-95) is set to begin in mid-August.
Regarded by hunters, anglers and other outdoors enthusiasts as one-stop shops and supply centers, Cabela’s stores also are tourist attractions that draw shoppers and the curious from their surrounding regions. The Christiana store will be built in Cabela’s trademark style and will surround customers in the outdoors experience, including wildlife and outdoors memorabilia displays. Like other Cabela’s stores, the Christiana location will feature thousands of outdoor products, a Gun Library, Bargain Cave and Fudge Shop.
With such a large retail facility comes staffing needs and employment opportunities. Remmer estimates that the Christiana Cabela’s will hire at least 200 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees. He said Cabela’s will conduct a mass hiring event about three months before the store opening and will notify the public of when candidates can begin submitting employment applications online.