Cabelas in Portage?

[bshaner]

Has anyone heard the rumor that Cabelas bought property in Portage?  This would be an awesome turn of events!!

B

[thedude]

portage MI or Portage IN? or Portage MI/UP?

i doubt it would be by kzo since its really not that far from dundee and probalby not in portage, IN either because they already purchased land several years back in Calumet IN and are working on putting up a store which is 20 min down the road from the new BP

[McCarter]

I have been hearing quite a few rumors regarding Cabelas lately.  I have heard they were looking into opening a store in the Traverse City area.  Then i heard they were looking at the Grand Rapids area.  Then i heard they were looking somewhere in the Jackson area.

McCarter himself

[tritonman]

Cabelas is in the talks with the city of Walker, by Grand Rapids for a store, they have property there already.
They also have been in talks with Branch County Goverment in Coldwater about a Distrubution Center in Coldwater.

[CuradoKev]

Walker near GR is the rumor I've heard for the last year...

Ckev

[1javelin]

Can't remember the name of the development, but if you google Walker and Cabelas it talks about the development trying to center around cabelas, but Cabelas wants some pretty hefty tax cuts for it, so you never know if it is going to happen or not.  We'll see.

[Genie]

I actually live and work in the area where Cabela's is trying to build in Walker.  The word is not good on the Walker area - Cabela's wants way too much in kick backs.  The issue isn't over, just stalled for a little while.  I do know that one hurdle has been crossed - the zoning is now correct if they can work out a deal.

[thedude]

yeah walker store wanted 15 mil in kickbacks!! As much as i would love a cabelas that close, i think that is a bit brash on their part.

here's a link about the calumet/hammond IN store:
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=18117

[joshimoto son]

I honestly think 15 million would be a drop in the bucket when you consider the jobs and the tourism that it is going to bring.

The negetive side of this would be that it will pinch a lot of the local retailers.

I wonder if that is why.

joshimoto son

[Cy]

I don't think that $15 Million is too much money.  The majority of the money would be spent on road and area improvements.  It's not like Cabela's is pocketing the money. 

I would love to have a Cabelas in the area but I will say that it will not generate high paying new jobs.  Retail jobs are retail jobs.  They are not normally high paying jobs nor do they include good benefits.  After thinking about it I can see why the state won't give them the money out of the delopement fund.  They are saving the money for higher paying jobs in the state.

But, The City of Walker and the surrounding cities stand to make a lot of money from Cabela's, they should step up and find some money.

Cy

[1javelin]

I would love to have a Cabelas in the area but I will say that it will not generate high paying new jobs.  Retail jobs are retail jobs.  They are not normally high paying jobs nor do they include good benefits. 

My buddy interviewed at BPS in Portage and they were only willing to pay 8 an hour.  This is for someone that has some knowledge, unlike half the staff I talked to that didn't even know what Strike King 3x was, or where it was for that matter. 

[thedude]

i think 15 is a little steep. I think there should be some help from the city to do the infrastructure... but at the same time i don't like to see a big company come in and try and bully its way into sweet deal. They are doing the IN store for 9 mil and that is for the same type of infrastructure inmprovements. Furthermore walker has already stated that 15 mil is more than twice their yearly operating budget.

Walker has a well established avenue of retail and dining. A cabelas will not help bring that many more new businesses to the area... with the exception of maybe a new hotel or 2. (not that that is bad or anything).

I just think the cabelas is overstating their value and importance. They like to tout that the Dundee store is the biggest attraction in MI... but take into consideration that it is near 3 of the highest traveled corridors in the country... drawing people from MI, IN, OH and anyone traveling E/W on 94 or 80/90. GR that is not the case and the primary shoppers would be MI residents and those tourists who are heading towards TC or over the bridge.

i really hope the store goes up! i just hope that the agreement is fair for everyone. It shouldn't be a burden to the tax payers.

[tritonman]

i think 15 is a little steep. I think there should be some help from the city to do the infrastructure... but at the same time i don't like to see a big company come in and try and bully its way into sweet deal. They are doing the IN store for 9 mil and that is for the same type of infrastructure inmprovements. Furthermore walker has already stated that 15 mil is more than twice their yearly operating budget.

Walker has a well established avenue of retail and dining. A cabelas will not help bring that many more new businesses to the area... with the exception of maybe a new hotel or 2. (not that that is bad or anything).

I just think the cabelas is overstating their value and importance. They like to tout that the Dundee store is the biggest attraction in MI... but take into consideration that it is near 3 of the highest traveled corridors in the country... drawing people from MI, IN, OH and anyone traveling E/W on 94 or 80/90. GR that is not the case and the primary shoppers would be MI residents and those tourists who are heading towards TC or over the bridge.

i really hope the store goes up! i just hope that the agreement is fair for everyone. It shouldn't be a burden to the tax payers.

Since I'm a building inspector, and just went to class with the city of Walkers inspectors, they were stating that its a 20 mil request for improvements to the roads, and water, sewer system.
Now since 131 and 96 are nearby to help draw people to this area, they are waging that Walker will bite at this.

[Dan]

Man I have my fingers crossed. I need a retirement job. I don't care what they pay. Just let me spend my check on gear.

[skeeterman190]

 hey guys just wanted to drop a line and say that there is a cabelas being built here in NW indiana its in hammond off indianapolis blvd(I-94) its about 20 minutes from chicago and 25 from the new bass pro in portage. i think it will be a great deal here. i live in michigan city which is about 45 minutes from there and we were supossed to get the bass pro here but for some reason we didnt i guess we get enough revenue from the blue chip?? ha yeah right i guess i can thank that i dont have to pay higher taxes.. oh well the school im building is about 5 minutes from the Bass Pro so i make a few trips there a week wheather i need to or not you never have enough right-skeeterman-

[Durand Dan]

I don't mean to start another rumor but I heard I-94 and M-59 for a new location