nevada’s first cabela’s opens

Outdoor superstore should boost tourism in northern Nevada.

By Nevada Magazine

Cabela’s, which refers to itself as the world’s foremost outfitter of hunting, fishing, and outdoor gear, opened its newest destination retail store near Reno on Friday, November 16. The 125,000-square-foot store, in Verdi next to Boomtown Hotel and Casino, includes animal displays in museum-quality dioramas, as well as an aquarium and a taxidermy mountain complete with waterfalls, a stream, and a trout pond. It also features a laser arcade, furniture department, gun library, restaurant, general store, fly fishing area, and gift shop.

Cabela’s stores are known as premier shopping and tourism destinations, drawing visitors from the local area and hundreds of miles away. Up to three million people could visit the Reno store annually, making it one of the top tourist attractions in the state—and the store doesn’t just appeal to outdoors “men.”

“The common misconception is that Cabela’s is filled with guys like me in flannel shirts,” says Cabela’s spokesperson John Castillo. “Even if you’re not an outdoorsman, you can come here and buy shoes, socks, and jeans. We have something for the entire family, even casual women’s clothing.”

For a slideshow of images inside the new store, visit travelnevada.com.

Ten days of festivities—January 25 to February 3, 2008—are planned to celebrate the grand opening, featuring celebrities and hunting and fishing experts sharing their stories and advice. On January 26, a storefront signature bronze sculpture, created by Nevada-born artist Douglas Van Howd, will be unveiled. Van Howd is known worldwide for his wildlife and western art creations.

The Verdi store is the only Cabela’s in Nevada, California, and Oregon. For a complete list of stores and locations, visit the Cabela’s Web site.