Good news for outdoor fans in Ontario. Nebraska-headquartered outdoor specialty store Cabela’s announced today that it will be adding a fourth Canadian store to their existing lineup. In addition to over 40 stores in the United States, Cabela’s already have locations in Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. The new 70,000 square-foot store, slated for the Park Place shopping centre in Barrie, Ontario, is expected to open next summer, and will likely generate around 200 employees from the area.
This can only mean good things for the outdoor enthusiast, as Cabela’s has always been a giant in the US, but not as accessible to Canadians until recently. Issues with firearm sales and border policies cut off a lot of online customers, and let’s face it, for outdoor gear, sometimes you just need to talk to someone at the counter who’s in the know.
Hopefully, the little mom-and-pop shops still have their place (I know they do with me), and won’t get too squeezed by the big guys. One thing is for certain, however: this new store will provide variety and more healthy competition for the other large stores that have sprung up in Southern Ontario over recent years, such as Sail and Bass Pro Shops. As long as quality and service are a priority, I’m sure they’ll be seeing me more often than not.