Cabela’s will delay construction of a store proposed to open this fall southwest of the intersection of Interstate 70 and Colorado 58.
“Uncertain economic conditions are really what is preventing us from firming up the timeline on the store in Wheat Ridge,” John Castillo, a Cabela’s spokesman, said Wednesday.
In mid-November, Cabela’s officials said they hoped to open the 185,000-square-foot store in October or November.
Now, it appears the “retail destination showroom” won’t open until next year.
“I don’t see it as a negative, waiting a year,” said Wheat Ridge Mayor Jerry DiTullio.
He added he is not concerned that Cabela’s might abandon the project, saying, “They have invested so much in the project.”
The Sydney, Neb., outfitter has worked four years to build the Wheat Ridge store on a 40-acre site that is part of a 230-acre commercial development.
Traffic has been a top issue, with $94 million in road improvements planned by Wheat Ridge, Jefferson County, the Colorado Department of Transportation and a special district.
The Wheat Ridge City Council has voted to require that the road improvements are completed before the Cabela’s opens. DiTullio said the additional year will help ensure the work is finished.
Castillo said Cabela’s will open two stores this year, not the seven that were planned.
“We are revising the 2008 retail-expansion plans,” Castillo said. “We came to this decision due to a challenging retail environment.”
Cabela’s has 26 stores — with the one in Sydney being the closest to Denver — with eight opening last year.
Ann Schrader: 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com
