Cabela’s, Bass Pro make it official
Shoppers browse the vast selection of outdoor products inside the Prairie du Chien Cabela’s retail store. Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops made their anticipated merger official Monday. (Photo by Correne Martin)
Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops have officially joined forces with a vision to become North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company.
“We are excited to unite these iconic American brands to better serve our loyal customers and fellow outdoor enthusiasts,” Conservationist and Bass Pro Shops Founder/CEO Johnny Morris said in a statement Monday, Sept. 25. “As we move forward, we are committed to retaining everything customers love about both Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s by creating a ‘best-of-the-best’ experience that includes the superior products, outstanding customer service and exceptional value our customers have come to expect. We’re also deeply motivated by the potential to significantly advance key conservation initiatives.”
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s were each born from a love of the outdoors and share a remarkable heritage and legacy. Avid young angler Johnny Morris founded Bass Pro Shops in 1972 with eight square feet of space in the back of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, the company’s sole location for its first 13 years of business. Cabela’s dates back to 1961 when Dick, Mary and Jim Cabela began a mail order service for outdoor products around their kitchen table in Chappell, Neb. Both companies went on to become industry leaders. Together, the combined company will celebrate both the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s brands while building on the rich history of both companies and looking to the future to best serve customers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Two unofficial sources affirmed last week that Cabela’s-brand products will continue to be sold in its stores.
Prairie du Chien Cabela’s Retail Marketing Specialist Randy Christensen provided the Courier Press with contact information to the Sidney, Neb., Cabela’s public relations office. Several calls to this number in over a week’s time were not returned, so specific details about the future of the local store, its employees, its credit card company or any possible name change are unknown at this time.
