The store, scheduled to open in spring 2017, is one of three locations planned for Virginia. Outposts in Bristol and Short Pump are expected to open in fall 2015 and spring 2016, respectively.
“The fact that Cabela’s is bringing three new stores to Virginia speaks volumes to the outdoor opportunities and lifestyle in the state, as well as Virginians’ passion for the Cabela’s brand,” Tommy Millner, the company’s chief executive, said in a statement. “The Gainesville store also will be a great location for our customers in Maryland and West Virginia.”
The upcoming location at Virginia Gateway, a 1.3-million-square-foot development at the intersection of Interstate 66 and Route 29, will be the company’s first in the Washington area. Fairfax-based Peterson Cos. is developing the property, which was formerly a concrete batching plant.
“We wanted a national retailer with a very large draw,” said Taylor O. Chess, president of retail for Peterson Cos. “In addition to serving as a great community center, Cabela’s will draw customers from D.C., West Virginia and Maryland.”
Other stores in the shopping center, which is more than 90 percent occupied, include Target, Lowe’s, Sports Authority and a 14-screen movie theater.
“For our new location, we looked for areas that were very visible,” said Nathan J. Borowski, a spokesman for Cabela’s. “We know we have a lot customers across the state and we wanted to bring them a convenient place to shop.”
Cabela’s, which was founded in 1961, is based in Sidney, Neb. The company currently has 64 stores in North America, with 14 new locations scheduled to open next year, Borowski. said.
“We’re definitely in retail expansion mode,” he said, adding that the company is focusing expansion efforts in areas with large online and catalog sales.
Last year, Cabela’s posted a profit of $224.39 million. Sales, meanwhile, rose 16 percent to $3.6 billion.


