Cabelas Grand Rapids (Grandville)

[Dan]

The roof is now on the Cabelas in Grandville. It's right next to a new Super Target which looks like it's almost ready to open. These stores are just east of Rivertown Mall on 44th St. That's about 2 1/2 miles west of 131.

[customfishn]

I just heard a rumor that Bass Pro is interested in the old Lowes building in Ionia from a person that is friends with a public official in Ionia.  If thats true I wont have any extra money  between BPS and Cabelas within 40 minutes of my house

[Waterfoul]

I just heard a rumor that Bass Pro is interested in the old Lowes building in Ionia from a person that is friends with a public official in Ionia.  If thats true I wont have any extra money  between BPS and Cabelas within 40 minutes of my house

Aint that the truth!

[VinceR]

There's also a rumor that Bass Pro is looking at a property in the Lansing area (Grand Ledge). Either way, goodbye paycheck! LOL

[thedude]

i don't know. i'll admit, i was pretty excited at the news a few years ago. Now i've changed my stance i guess.

i go to bps and cabelas on occasion (i even have a cabelas credit card) but i rarely buy anything from either - unless its on clearance, the prices are 10% higher on just about everything they carry and shipping is insane if you buy online. It will be nice to have some more options when there is something you can't find locally, but I'd prefer to shop at Al&Bob's, D&R, Red Sky etc since they have no choice but to carry what's in demand and that money goes right back into our local economy.  I'm not going to spend more money than i have to and with free shipping at most of the big online retailers that carry everything (TW, BTD etc) - the only driving factor is convenience of not having to wait for it to get shipped here.

i'd prefer to see a smaller private owned store that listen's to its customers and carries the tackle they want at decent prices. We have some of that now and its great, could be a whole lot better however - i just think cabelas is going to hurt any progress in that regard.

[Genie]

Dude for president!

[Waterfoul]

Dude for president!

I agree with what thedude said... prefer to shop the local shops by far!  But, have you been in them lately?  They are down to slim pickings at best.  This time of year it seems the local shops forget that people are still fishing and that not all of us hunt.  Even Gander and Dicks kind of let the fishing sections dwindle starting about now.  Try to find a bag of salt/pepper hula grubs in GR right now.  You can't, I've tried.  BPS and Cabelas don't do this, so for me around this time of year I will be glad to see them in the area.  Trust me, I am NOT a Cabelas fan... I've had several bad experiences with thier member services dept. and the online sales people to the point that I refuse to shop at their online store.  Not to mention that the new store is sure to put at least a small dent in my own store's bottom line.

[Redbone]

I still will support the smaller shops over the year.  I actually think it may help those stores grow.  They will have to carry a supply of goods that will not be in the bigger chains.

Personally, I like to shop on Sundays.  And during the winter months it will be the only place in town.

[Waterfoul]

To their credit, I called Red Sky today and Eric is going to get me the baits I want by Friday.  Now that's service you will never get at a BPS, Cabellas, Gander, or Dicks.

[Cy]

i don't know. i'll admit, i was pretty excited at the news a few years ago. Now i've changed my stance i guess.

i go to bps and cabelas on occasion (i even have a cabelas credit card) but i rarely buy anything from either - unless its on clearance, the prices are 10% higher on just about everything they carry and shipping is insane if you buy online. It will be nice to have some more options when there is something you can't find locally, but I'd prefer to shop at Al&Bob's, D&R, Red Sky etc since they have no choice but to carry what's in demand and that money goes right back into our local economy.  I'm not going to spend more money than i have to and with free shipping at most of the big online retailers that carry everything (TW, BTD etc) - the only driving factor is convenience of not having to wait for it to get shipped here.

i'd prefer to see a smaller private owned store that listen's to its customers and carries the tackle they want at decent prices. We have some of that now and its great, could be a whole lot better however - i just think cabelas is going to hurt any progress in that regard.

Yeah, what he said!

[Genie]

Cy for vice president.

[Dan]

Where is this Red Sky?

[Waterfoul]

Where is this Red Sky?

Comstock Park...

[Dan]

Never heard of it before. I'll have to make a trip.

[Mike S.]

Just drove to Al and Bob's the other day. Shelves were thin. But, they still had more of the good stuff than Dick's. The big chain stores don't carry the smaller tackle companies who make the good stuff. The main stream baits are dull and boring. I will continue to drive to GR when I need some Poor Boys and so on. I really have no interest in Cabelas.

[Waterfoul]

My goal is to put a bass in one of the aquariums at the new Cabellas... they get all the fish for them as local as possible.

[Cy]

My goal is to put a bass in one of the aquariums at the new Cabellas... they get all the fish for them as local as possible.

I didn't know that Mike.  That's cool.  How does one get to put a fish in those tanks?

[Genie]

... not sure that is legal unless they file for all the correct permits and such from the DNR.  I would imagine they would do everything right though.

[Waterfoul]

Not sure how you do it but a friend of a friend has several fish in the tank in Dundee.

[djkimmel]

They get the necessary permission and have local anglers 'stock' their aquariums fairly often at both stores.