We may be getting a Cabelas in western PA.

[XD45]

it'd be nice thats for sure... my vote goes for cranberry as i'd be 15min from cabelas then.


http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_532385.html

Cabela's may make a move into W. Pa.
By Ron DaParma
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, October 13, 2007

Cabela's, a major outdoor-merchandise retailer with a major complex near Wheeling, W.Va., may expand into Western Pennsylvania.

The company -- which publicly has disclosed it is seeking to accelerate its nationwide growth by focusing on new stores in more densely populated areas -- may consider several sites in the Pittsburgh area, real estate experts said Friday.

Some local commercial real estate agents have seen a mention of a potential Cabela's in plans for an 850,000-square-foot retail development that mega developer Simon Property Co. of Indianapolis has proposed for Cranberry. Others have heard the company is eyeing a spot at the giant Pittsburgh Mills complex in Frazer.

None of the parties involved -- Simon Property, Cabela's or Johnstown-based Zamias Services, the owner of Pittsburgh Mills -- would confirm any plans.

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"Our Cabela's real estate team is actively pursuing sites throughout the U.S.," said John Castillo, a Cabela's spokesman. "We are looking at hundreds of places, but it would be premature to comment on any specific market."

Castillo did say the company has "many loyal customers" in this region and in Pennsylvania, where it operates its largest store -- a 250,000-square-foot outlet off Interstate 78 at Hamburg, between Harrisburg and Allentown.

"I think anyone familiar with the history and culture of Pennsylvania sportsmen and sportswomen knows the state is rich with outdoor activity," he said.

"I understand they are evaluating this market," said Doug German, retail development manager for Howard Hanna Commercial in Pittsburgh. "With the market potential of the sportsmen we have in this area, I don't find it very unusual that they would be looking to further populate this market with additional stores."

"This would be a good market for Cabela's," agreed David Glickman, vice president of the retail group of Grubb & Ellis Co., a commercial real estate firm in Pittsburgh.

Although a Western Pennsylvania site would be a departure from Cabela's initial blueprint for expansion that once envisioned stores up to 300 miles apart, competitive forces could be driving the company to consider expanding in this area, closer to its Wheeling store, said Glickman. He noted that Bass Pro Shops is planning to open a major store as part of the Victory Centre complex in South Strabane in Washington County.

"Bass Pro Shops could be a factor," Glickman said. "A lot of people from this area have been going south to Wheeling, but now we have this new store proposed for Washington."

Cabela's West Virginia complex off Interstate 70, opened in 2004, contains 175,000 square feet and has become a major tourist attraction for that area.

According to a Cabela's securities filing in August, the company is pursuing expansion with what it has described as a "new store development model" that will be "more adaptable to regional markets."

"We believe there are many additional markets throughout North America that could potentially support one of our destination retail stores," the company said. "We also believe that our customer database gives us a competitive advantage in tailoring product offerings in each of our destination retail stores to reflect our customers' regional preferences."

Cranberry would make a lot of sense for that type of an outlet, said Greg Broujos, commercial broker with NAI Pittsburgh Commercial.

"I think they can do that kind of a store there," said Broujos, who is handling marketing for Shoppes at Cranberry, a 200,000-square-foot strip shopping center being developed on a neighboring parcel to the Simon project by Petrarca Cos. of Youngstown, Ohio.

John Trant, planning director for Cranberry, said Simon has not officially submitted an application for its project and that there is nothing on record with the township regarding the development.

The Simon Property Group's Web site identifies the project as an open-air town center on 75 acres, with the first phase scheduled to open in 2010.

No tenants are listed on the Web site.

Les Norris, a Simon spokesman, said that until an official announcement is made about the project by Simon, no details regarding potential tenants can be released.

"We will include names of tenants when we officially announce the project," he said.

Ron DaParma can be reached at rdaparma@tribweb.com or 412-320-7907.
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[HinesTR57]

Either way would be great for me! I'm right in the middle.15 to 20 min. drive!

[The_War_Wagon]

I vote for the South Hills! 19 corridor in Washington is probably too close to their Wheeling store. Getting to Mars and back (the planet, not the city) is easier than getting to Mars and back (the city, not the planet) from down thisaway! Pittsburgh Mills will be my second choice then!

Bob

[Frenchy]

Cranberry Mars would be nice, make competition to Sportsmans warehouse or as Vicky calls it, Sportsmans "Whorehouse"... just an other place to spend money!

[mjd932]

Please oh please oh please oh please put it in at the Pittsburgh Mills! It's only 10 miles from my house and I pass it every day on my way to work. Guess I'd have to stop by to avoid traffic or something

[XD45]

i'd be very suprised if pittsburgh mills got it over cranberry.. 28 is and always will be a mess and that mall hasnt done what they thought it would in business either...

cranberry has 79, and the turnpike.. plus its growing like mad out that way

[mjd932]

i'd be very suprised if pittsburgh mills got it over cranberry.. 28 is and always will be a mess and that mall hasnt done what they thought it would in business either...

cranberry has 79, and the turnpike.. plus its growing like mad out that way

Yeah, it will be better once it goes to 3 lanes but it's still no Cranberry.

[Hawk]

Yeah, it will be better once it goes to 3 lanes but it's still no Cranberry.

I hope it's not "JAMberry". That place is really F*** up traffic wise.


Hawk,

[Atomic Dog]

Personally, I avoid cranberry at all costs. Traffic is just not worth it, land prices and selection isn't as good. The mills puts it slightly outside the city but still avvessible and allows for a larger store, cheaper. 28 is crazy from the city but that can be fixed. Cranberry is beyond hope.

[XD45]

IMO 28 is the worst road in the city at the moment... even without the construction the way you have to merge back and fourth just makes no sense