TULALIP — After weeks of speculation, the Cabela’s chain of hunting, fishing and outdoor supplies stories has confirmed that they’ll be setting up shop in Quil Ceda Village.
Tulalip Tribal Chair Mel Sheldon Jr. welcomed the Cabela’s chain to the Tribes’ lands, noting that the projected 2012 opening of the 110,000-square-foot Cabela’s store would not only mark the second Cabela’s store opening in the state of Washington, following that of the chain’s Lacey location in 2007, but would also be the first on a Native American reservation.
“This is a proud day as Tulalip adds Cabela’s to the unique Quil Ceda Village mix of entertainment, shopping and dining, which will create an exciting synergy that will spur additional economic growth throughout the North Snohomish County area,” Sheldon said. “Cabela’s is the perfect fit for this destination location.”
Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring echoed Sheldon’s sentiments, and congratulated the Tulalip Tribes on what he described as “another successful venture” in attracting Cabela’s to the area.
“As a community that encourages our residents to be active, and to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, we couldn’t be happier for the residents of Marysville, Tulalip and our surrounding communities, who will put Cabela’s at the top of their must-visit shopping lists,” Nehring said. “Marysville is a committed partner with the Tulalip Tribes on economic development efforts that help us create more prosperous and thriving future businesses and families here.”
Nehring deemed this news the latest in what he hopes will be “many exciting developments in the years ahead, to signal that the Marysville, Tulalip and Arlington area is at the epicenter for new commercial, manufacturing and light industry in the Puget Sound region.”
John Bell, chair of the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce, issued a statement on behalf of the Chamber commending Cabela’s decision to construct a store at Quil Ceda Village.
“This new business will engender continued economic growth in North Snohomish County, in particular in the communities of Tulalip and Marysville,” Bell said. “We look forward to welcoming Cabela’s into our business community.”
The Quil Ceda Village Cabela’s building exterior will hew to the chain’s traditional store model of log construction, stonework, wood siding and metal roofing, while its inside will be designed according to what the company has deemed its “next-generation layout,” which is intended to immerse customers in an outdoor experience and will include conservation-themed wildlife displays and trophy animal mounts. Its construction is expected to start later this year.
“Washington is rich with outdoor recreation opportunities, and many people in this area are longtime Cabela’s catalog and Internet customers,” Cabela’s CEO Tommy Millner said. “So we’re excited to open another store in the ‘Evergreen State,’ making our services even more accessible to its hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.”
