ROGERS — We get into all sorts of discussions in the newsroom.
Politics, weather, stupid human trips.
This one was about destination shopping, specifically Cabela’s. Is it news, we cussed and discussed, that Cabela’s is opening?
The majority involved in the discussion agreed it is news; along with the weather, it is the most talked about event in weeks.
We also agreed Cabela’s equals destination shopping — after we defined “destination shopping.”
Destination shopping is some place you go specifically to shop at a store or stores.
We did that before it had a name. I grew up in Harrison, and our destination shopping was Springfield, Mo. Not just one store — although we had favorites — but the whole town.
We would shop for school clothes, even eyeglasses. You name it, we bought it in Springfield.
I think a lot of people who grew up in Rogers went to Tulsa, Okla., for the same reason we went to Springfield.
Once I was an adult, any place I went could become destination shopping, but figuring most prominently was Memphis. Our annual trips required stops at two or three malls.
Of course Memphis being Memphis, it also was destination eating. Ah, Rendezvous, how I miss your ribs.
As Rogers grew, however, the need to hit the stores in Memphis lessened. We loved Old Navy; then they located here. A stop at Bookstar? Nah, we have Barnes & Noble.
Heck, we even liked grocery shopping in Memphis. Schnuck’s/Sessel’s was near Mike’s apartment so a trip was necessary. Then Mike discovered The Fresh Market, and the angels sang. We were out east shopping and eating anyway so why not a stop at a grocery?
And now we have The Fresh Market in Rogers.
My BFFL’s husband had a birthday earlier this month. He is a fisherman, thus I gave him a Cabela’s gift card, my theory being he would love it and I would force them to come visit me.
She will be euphoric with a visit to The Fresh Market.
Rogers will get the sales tax, I will get to spend time with friends — it’s a win-win situation.
They were telling me how big a deal they think Cabela’s opening is. They have ranked the outdoors stores — who knows why — and they rank it at the top. Jeff reported when Cabela’s opened near his hometown in Pennsylvania, the exit off the interstate was blocked with vehicles trying to get there.
Really? Ourdoorsy types must be fanatics. Of course, I probably would react the same if Hancock’s of Paducah, Ky., decided to open a fabric store here. And if I am to be honest, I was at The Fresh Market on opening day, drooling, like hundreds, if not thousands, of others.
Jeff said he thinks the Rogers Cabela’s will attract people from all over the country. Rogers Municipal Airport — with its jet-supporting runway — will be a plus for Cabela’s, whose well-to-do customers will jet in for a day or two of shopping. I have heard of people who do that sort of thing.
A lot of people who are paid to know these things think Rogers is about to break out and become a shopping destination for more than just the region. The fact Cabela’s chose Rogers is apparently a pretty big deal. The theory is Cabela’s chose us, and other retailers will look seriously at that when choosing new locations.
I can live with that.
While I am a big supporter of downtown and small business, I support the west side of the city and all the cool stores and restaurants. I believe downtown and small business, west side and big box retailers can live in harmony.
A friend recently wisecracked I never go to the west side. She was wrong. I spend a lot of time and money out there, more than she, a west-side dweller, probably spends downtown.
I think we have to support all of them: small business, big box, downtown and west side.
I am pretty thrilled most of my destination shopping is just down the street.
Leeanna Walker is editor of the Rogers Morning News. Follow her on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/NWALeeanna.