Cabela’s plans a new store in Gainesville

Cabela’s Inc. announced plans Wednesday to open a 79,000-square-foot-store in Gainesville, its third location in Virginia.

Cabela’s, a retailer that focuses on outdoor recreational gear, anticipates a spring 2017 opening. The store would be located at the intersection of Linton-Hall Road and Lee Highway, adjacent to the Virginia Gateway Center, a 1.3 million-square-foot shopping center.

Gainesville will join two other Virginia locations. Cabela’s is opening an 82,000-square-foot Bristol in fall 2015, and a 97,500-square-foot location in the Short Pump area of Henrico County is expected to open in spring 2016.

Cabela’s said it expects to employ about 190 full-time and part-time employees at Gainesville.

“The fact that Cabela’s is bringing three new stores to Virginia speaks volumes to the outdoor opportunities and lifestyle in the state, as well as Virginians’ passion for the Cabela’s brand,” Tommy Millner, Cabela’s CEO said in a statement. “The Gainesville store also will be a great location for our customers in Maryland and West Virginia.”

The store will be built in Cabela’s new-format layout, designed to surround customers in an outdoor-like experience with a large mountain replica, wildlife displays and an aquarium. In addition to outdoor products, the store will include an indoor archery range, gun library, bargain cave, deli and fudge shop.

Also, it will offer a full-service boat shop and a selection of wildlife and land management products, including tractors, attachments and implements.

Cabela’s stores stock thousands of products, including hunting, fishing, camping and hiking gear, as well as clothing and outdoor-themed gifts and furnishings.

Cabela’s, based in Sidney, Neb., currently operates 64 stores across North America and has announced plans to open an additional 19 locations over the next two years.