cabela's in Hookset?

[bridgeman]

I have looked at the plans for a 188,000 sq.ft. retail space proposed for the Palazzi property next to the Hookset toll house. The print included a 75 room hotel, a go-cart track, and two restaurants. I did not see the name Cabela's in print on the sheet but it looks like the real deal. The layout included the circular drive with the location for the trademark sculpture in the front of the building. It may be early in the development process and permits and local approval may not have been applied for at this time. Im sure if the political process had started there would have been a big story in the papers. Is this a good thing for the NH flyfishing community? Is it payback for the KTP sponsoring the fishing report in the Union Leader that has ruined so many of my fishing spots in SE New Hampshire? How will it effect the local fly shops that we love and depend on? Is this a good thing?

[dcs2]

There has been a lot in the press about Cabelas plans to open a 200,000 sq. ft., $35 million store in East Hartford. This seems like a sure thing.

http://www.courant.com/news/local/hr/hc-11094122.apds.m0282.bc-ct--cabeaug11,0,5947586.story

Is it likely that they would put two stores in New England?

[Ken B]

New Hampshire is prime for development from one of these big guys...Cabelas or Bass Pro shops. Dicks has already moved in and although they are of a different format, they were chopping at the bit to develop in NH. LL Bean has been struggling over the last 5 to 8 years although they did have good years the last two and the competition is eagar to set hold in NH. No taxes, business friendly state gov't ( at least to the big companies).

Is Cabelas coming to NH a good thing? Sure. Will it hurt the small shops? I'm sure it will a little but Cabelas will become a destination store. You're not going to drive an hour to pick up a spool of tippett material or some tying stuff or maybe even a rod. BUT you will go there to buy your new Scent lok camoflage setup, or a treestand or that new rifle that all cost at least $250 a piece.

You also won't get the service that a shop like Mt Road Fly or any of the others will offer. If you think the manager of the fly dept at Cabelas is Hookset is going to take the time to show you how to tie a fly then you nuts. That's not going to happen. will they be able to tell you that a certain fly works on this river or that one...maybe but they make their money on volume and the only way to do volume is to turn over the customers quickly. It's no different then say an Applebee's vs Joe's Diner. Both offer great burgers at similar prices but try sitting in an Applebee's booth for 10 or 15 minutes after you're finished.

Ken

[BugChucka]

A place like Cabelas will be a nightmare to the local shops...
If we support Cabelas coming here we're turning our backs to our local shops. Most of them are just getting by as it is.

[fessiewig]

I think I agree with BugChucka. A huge sporting goods store such as Cabela's can only hurt our local shops. If there is something Cabela's has that I absolutely can't live without I have no problem with getting it online. However, as stated here already, you'll never get the personalized service with Cabela's you will with our local shops. I can't tell you how much I learned about fly fishing and sportsmanship while hanging out at Bill Hunters shop in New Boston. I've met and talked with all of the fly shop owners that are contributors to this website and I would recommend everyone of them. Each and every one of them has a true interest in their customers and wants to, yeah sell us stuff, but more importantly sell us stuff that is high quality and will enhance our experience on the water. They deserve our support and patronage.

Just a side note; I priced out a fly rod through Cabela's and Hunters and Hunters price was $5 less. So big isn't always cheaper!

[PW]

I agree with you guys as well. The only reason I'd ever go there is if I needed something last minute on the way up north. They'll hire people that have no clue about fly fishing. Ever ask a serious question in Bean's or KTP. Chances are you're not going to get the answer you wanted. Last year I bought some nymphs at Bean's and asked if they were weighted. The kid had no idea what I was talking about. It's just another Wal-Mart scenario.

[SaltH2oFly]

I guess from the rules of macro-economics, I would have to disagree with those who think a big store like Cabela's or another heading in to town would kill the little guy. Primarily b/c I believe that 1) they will bring more people into the sport and 2) those people who may shop there, will still shop at the smaller shops. Especially, as Fess pointed out, when they want to learn more about the sport. Ask Charlie Poole in Bristol if he would mind if Cabela's came in and he will say no. For various reasons already stated.

The triangle - Price, Quality, or Service. You have to pick your strength and Capitalize on it. If as a small business owner, you are concerned about competition, then you have an opportunity to either offer better service or increase your quality of product or lower your price. Capitalism is where we live gentlemen (hopefully forever), don't try to stop it from doing what it does best - offering more opportunity for more people.