I suppose New England Development continues to be a story of the year candidate here in Newburyport even without doing anything newsworthy, except perhaps existing.
But the group definitely is making news elsewhere. The Nashua Telegraph and The Patriot Ledger both have New England Development among the newsmakers in their own regions.
This is purely a hunch. But does anyone want to give me odds on the Waterfront West site plans, once they're finally revealed, NOT including a hotel?
5 comments:
Not only will there be a hotel, but it will be a Bass Pro Shop Hotel.
A friend in Maine told me yesterday that a big PA outfit, like an LL BEAN called Cabela's was coming in.
I've got a pseudo policy on printing rumors. I won't print one about existing businesses for obvious reasons. I don't want to do anyone unnecessary harm.
As for rumors like the one above, I can't readily see who this might hurt.
So what the heck, I shall be a monger of rumors for two simple reasons.
1) Rumors can be fun.
2) This blog ain't the New York Times (or even the Daily News for that matter.)
That said, I don't see much to this one. From what I've heard and see on the Web site, Cabela's stores run roughly at 200,000 square feet, give or take. That's roughly four acres, not counting parking.
I don't see that flying on the waterfront.
Cabela's is opening a business in Scarborough, Maine where it will take on LL Bean.
Now LL Bean is an interesting possibility. They're clearly expanding (Burlington, Foxborough) so maybe a small NBPT store might be attractive.
That isn't a rumor. Just a thought.
LL Bean has already taken a pass on Newburyport. No space large enough, not enough traffic. It is even less likely that Cabela's would bother with Newburyport. Neither would Bass Pro Shops, although I like the idea of a Bass Pro Shop Hotel. Who wouldn't want to stay at a place with furnishings done in metalic flake?
Beds shaped like a bass boat, live well bathtubs, Coleman Cooler shaped mini-bar, the works. I've heard they even put a Slim Jim on your pillow at night instead of those boring mints.
Now, the rumor that has me the most worried for the future and soul of Newburyport is that Mike's Sub is going to become the country's smallest, most exclusive Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.
I concur with the last anonymous comment on Newburyport not having enough physical space or traffic for hosting a Cabela's outlet.
More to the point, Cabela's typically enters markets with its in-house real estate team, not through arms like New England Development. Whether this changes is anyone's guess.
They are huge stores, though. I visited the Cabela's in Hamburg, PA a few years ago...and it was HUGE!
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