Cabela's in League City attracts attention of other retailers

Work already is under way for the Cabela’s at Interstate 45 and Big League Dreams Parkway.

Cabela’s stores usually generate tourism, and Rock expects all of the county to benefit, not just League City. 

Sidney, Neb.-based Cabela’s Inc., which, through retail stores, mail-order catalogs and online sales, is the world’s largest direct marketer of hunting, fishing and camping merchandise. The League City store will offer customers an outdoor-like experience with a large mountain replica, museum-quality wildlife displays and an aquarium. Along with thousands of products, the store will include an indoor archery range, gun library, deli, fudge shop and more. 

To make the Cabela’s deal happen, the city entered into what’s known as a 380 agreement with developer Pinnacle Alliance Fund. In addition to the Cabela’s building, Pinnacle must develop another 110,000 square feet of new retail within three years of Cabela’s opening. Pinnacle early last year acquired 100 prime acres near Big League Dreams Sports Park with plans to develop a sizable mixed-use project of retail, restaurants, hotels, offices, and, possibly, multifamily dwellings. Pinnacle, however, has not advanced any plans for moving ahead with multifamily dwellings, which would, by city zoning, be required to have retail on the ground floor. Stay tuned.

Restaurant reminder: Look for a 10 a.m. grand opening today of the first-ever Schlotzsky’s Cafe Xpress concept. V.J. Jain owns a number of Schlotzsky’s Bakery-Cafe locations in the greater Houston area and chose Galveston to help the brand launch the new model. The new express shop features a smaller footprint and an abbreviated menu in what the company says is a fast and convenient setting. The shop, 2705 61st St. on the island, will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Jain also recently acquired the regular format Schlotzsky’s at 500 Seawall Blvd., also on the island.

The dirt: Can the island’s West End expect more rooftops? A few years back, developers planned a 41-lot subdivision called Hideaway Estates near 9 Mile Road on the island’s West End. But the project was shelved. Now, with market conditions vastly improved, interest is heating up again. A developer is in talks with the city to resurrect the project with some changes. Stay tuned.

What’s that? Readers are wondering about activity at the former site of Galveston Island Paintball, 9020 Stewart Road. Brothers Joey Buck, and husband-and-wife Tim and Melanie Buck, along with Danny Higgins are preparing to soon open Tin Cups Caddy Shack at the site. The development includes a driving range, pro shop and full bar with a limited menu. Before it was a paintball field, it was a driving range. Work is going smoothly and the business partners are shooting for a late December, early January opening. Brothers Joey and Tim Buck also own well-known watering holes Buck’s Bar and Buck’s West, both on the island. 

Power struggle: The popular Yaga’s Café, 2314 Strand in the island’s downtown, and neighboring bar, Tsunami Exotic Tequila Emporium, were temporarily knocked out of commission after a power pole behind Yaga’s collapsed Sunday. Tsunami’s was back in business Monday night, and Yaga’s is set to reopen today, Mike Dean, owner of the establishments, said. What caused the pole to collapse was unclear. 

“I don’t know the cause, but the pole fell down and took down the rest,” Dean said. Stay tuned.

Next week: Will Texas City be the home of a new emergency care facility? Where has the only private primary physician office opened on the island? And what’s up with the Cajun restaurant that has for nearly a year promised to “open soon” at the site of the formerly occupied by Simp’s Kitchen, 2528 Broadway on the island? Find answers to those questions and more in next week’s Biz Buzz.