Cabela's may aid local businesses

GRANDVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) - On Thursday, Cabela's sporting goods store announced that it plans to build a new store in Grandville.

The new Cabela's, which will be located at the corner of 44th Street and Ivanrest Avenue, will be a 88,000-square-foot supplier of hunting, fishing, camping and hiking gear -- and will feature a boat shop, gun library and fudge shop.

So how far will the economic ripple of the new Cabela's extend? The impact of the sporting goods giant has yet to be seen, but how local stores are responding about Cabela's coming to town seems to depend on what kind of business they're in.
 
"It's a little intimidating obviously," said Joe Koperski, manager of Al and Bob's Sporting Goods store on South Division.

For nearly 50 years, Al and Bob's has kept its sights on one target: The customer.

Mark Helsel said he started shopping at Al and Bob's with his dad. He said he doubts that Cabela's represents any kind of a threat to his favorite store.

"My allegiance will remain to Al and Bob's," said Helsel. "They always have the product you can't find anywhere else."

Right across the street from the new development is a Jude's Barber Shop. Employees there said that it shares a customer base with Cabela's

Jude's thinks it is in a good position to draw in some of Cabela's customers who need a quick trim. Construction workers on the project have already been stopping in.

Just around the corner, restaurant El Burrito Loco is excited about the prospect of having 200 new employees who may want to grab lunch or dinner.

The restaurant also thinks the increased traffic the store will generate will send people in here who may not have otherwise stopped. The restaurant is five years old and has already seen a steady increase in business as the area around it has developed.

Meanwhile, at Al and Bob's, Koperski said they faced similar competition when Gander Mountain came to the area. But Koperski said loyal customers soon found that they were more comfortable at Al and Bob's.

"You get that small shop-feel, more of a pro shop-type feel, great customer service," said Koperski. "That's the one thing we do, is we make sure that we can help everybody who comes in the store."