Dundee to be Home of State's Largest Tourist Attraction
Dundee soon will be the home of the state's largest tourist attraction.
Cabela's, a giant outdoors outfitter, is planning to build a massive 200,000 square foot retail store on a 150-acre parcel located on the north side of M-50 west of US-23. Company officials expect 6 million visitors a year at the Dundee store, which will be the largest one in their series of six stores.
In contrast, Frankenmuth, Michigan's current top tourist attraction, sees more than 3 million visitors a year, and Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn attracts more than 1 million visitors annually.
Cabela's, a giant outdoors outfitter, is planning to build a 200,000 square foot retail store in Dundee on a 150-acre site on M-50 at US-23. The store is projected to have a September, 2000 opening date and attract 6 million visitors a year, and represents an investment of about $60 million. All Photos courtesy of James R. Roe
The 150-acre Cabela's parcel is located across the street from the new AmeriHost hotel, and extends to Wilcox Road. Cabela's plans to create an entire retail complex there, with future developments including hotels, restaurants and service stations. A five-lane, mile-long road will surround the complex.
"It will be set back quite far from M-50 and will face US-23," said Village Manager Patrick Burtch.
In addition to the retail complex, long-range plans also include building a recreational vehicle campground.
Michigan's Department of Transportation has committed to improving the US-23 interchange this year, said Mr. Burtch. Included will be widening the road and lengthening the ramps to handle the extra traffic.
The 150-acre parcel includes some land previously purchased by a different developer for a Sunoco truck plaza, as well as land once owned by the Hiser, Richter and Busch families.
A Major Retail Attraction
The Cabela's store is planned to be a major retail attraction, as the largest outdoor gear store in the United States. The store is expected to open in September, 2000. It will be the sixth and largest store Cabela's has built. The next-largest store, located in Owatonna, Minnesota, is 150,000 square feet and attracted 4 million visitors during its first year. It opened in April, 1998.
The centerpiece of the Dundee store will be a realistic "mountain" at least 35 feet tall, complete with running waterfalls, streams and a trout pond. The mountain will depict North American mounted trophy wild game animals in their natural habitats, ranging from midwestern prairies to Michigan woodlands, Alaskan tundra and Arctic ice. An elaborate sound system will provide authentic sounds of nature.
Other planned features for the new store include many displays to dazzle hunters, fishermen and those who love the great outdoors. The displays are designed to promote wildlife conservation.
The store will offer for sale thousands of items for use in all types of outdoor sports.
Cabela's has opened similar stores in Owatonna and East Grand Forks, Minnesota; Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; Kearney, Nebraska, and its flagship store in Sidney, Nebraska.
Cabela's store in Owatonna, Minnesota is 150,000 square feet. The store planned for Dundee will be 200,000 square feet and see about 6 million visitors a year.
Economic Impact
"If even a fraction of the Cabela's visitors come into town to walk around, that could mean a great positive economic impact for the community," said Village President Darrell Powell. "We also made sure that the company is very community-friendly."
The Cabela's store itself is expected to employ about 600 people over the first five years, with an expected 450 full-time employees, said Village Manager Patrick Burtch.
Most of the employees are expected to come from Michigan and the surrounding area, according to a press release issued by the company.
"Plus, we certainly expect that there will be a lot of off-shoot developments; that's my guess," said Mr. Burtch. "People will come from all over just to see this store."
He added that the state has given Dundee approval to erect signage drawing people toward the downtown from the highway.
Why Dundee Site was Chosen
Dundee's fame as "Hub of the Highways" is well deserved. Cabela's was attracted to the location because it is conveniently situated along US-23 near the Ohio border. It serves as the gateway to Michigan and its plentiful outdoor sports opportunities. Countless vehicles drive past Dundee each year as travelers head north to enjoy the waterways, lakes and woodlands the state has to offer.
Dundee also is easily reached from many population centers, including Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids in Michigan; Toledo and Cleveland, Ohio, and Ontario, Canada. Also, travelers on their way east to Lake Erie or west to Irish Hills and the Michigan International Speedway and on to Lake Michigan, often travel through Dundee.
"Cabela's liked the layout of the expressway here," said Mr. Powell.
Mr. Burtch had an aerial photograph of the company's store and surrounding highway in Owatonna, Minnesota.
"Look familiar? This could be the Fairchild Industrial Park and US-23 right there," said Mr. Burtch. "They also like the fact that the store will be highly visible from the expressway."
Additionally, the village will build a full-size water tower at the site, which will be painted with the Cabela's logo, adding even more visibility to the development.
"The water tower will help us with our need for greater water storage," said Mr. Burtch.
Tim Holland, Cabela's director of retail and development, has said the choice to build in Dundee was an easy one, thanks to the friendliness of village, county and state officials.
About the Company
Cabela's began in 1961 as a small mail-order operation. Today, it has a world-renowned catalog business; Cabela's sends out 65 million catalogs a year. It is a privately owned company.
"Dick and Jim Cabela founded this business on the principle of offering a good deal on quality products backed by outstanding customer service," said Dennis Highby, Cabela's vice president of merchandising.
"Michigan is home to some of Cabela's most loyal customers. This new store, which will bring a Cabela's retail facility closer for them, is our way of showing appreciation to all the loyal customers who have supported us through the years," he said.
A realistic mountain, featuring trophy game animals is planned to be the centerpiece of the new Dundee Cabela's.
Bus Drives Through Town
Speculation about the company's interest in the local area increased dramatically earlier this week, when a bus and trailer painted with the Cabela's logo drove through downtown Dundee and was spotted parked near the AmeriHost hotel on Monday, April 26.
Village and township officials have known about the company's interest in Dundee for about six months, and managed to keep the proposal secret. Just a couple of weeks ago, the village took options on the property on M-50, so it could resell the land to Cabela's.
The company provided local officials with a videotape of its retail stores, and some village officials visited the Cabela's store in Owatonna.
Even so, Village Manager Patrick Burtch said the deal was not formalized until the State of Michigan's Department of Treasury faxed a letter regarding a decision over a sales tax issue on Wednesday, April 28.
Local Officials' Reactions
"It was like pins and needles waiting for the state," said Village President Darrell Powell.
Mr. Powell added, "I was very amazed when I heard they were interested in locating here. To me, it's a great company. I order a lot of fishing stuff from them and have friends that do the same thing. I also think it's good that they are so diverse and offer items for every type of outdoor sport you could think of, including camping and boating, and not just hunting and fishing."
Village Trustee Douglas Heinlen said, "The family atmosphere is what most appeals to me. And, if the state does everything right, there shouldn't be any traffic problems."
He added, "I also like the educational aspect, that they teach outdoor skills and about the environment."
Village Trustee Jim Roe said, "The stores are just incredible."
The anticipated letter from the state, settling the issue of sales tax on out-of-state catalog sales was received in the village office on Wednesday. That afternoon, executives from Cabela's boarded a jet and came to Dundee. A formal press conference was called for Thursday, April 29, at 2 p.m., at the AmeriHost hotel. It was attended by area journalists, including those from Detroit and Toledo print and broadcast media. Representatives from state government and the Michigan Jobs Commission also were present.
Some impressive features designed for the Dundee store
