Cabela's Announces Second Store In West Virginia

The outdoor recreation store Cabela's has announced plans to expand further into West Virginia.

Cabela's was the first store built in the Highlands in Ohio County back in 2004. It was the area's anchor store, helping to bring many more retail stores and restaurants to the location. The second store will be located in Charleston, according to a news release, and construction is slated to begin in early 2012 with an anticipated opening in the summer of 2012. The new store planned for the state's capital will be smaller than the Highlands location.

Cabela's employee Kerri Mueller moved her family to the Ohio Valley from Nebraska to work for the store when it opened. She said she has seen a positive effect on the community with the store opening.

"I've seen an impact on the community. Our children go to school in the area, and I think it's been beneficial. It's just brought so much to the area," said Mueller.

Cabela's attracts people from several states, increasing foot traffic to other businesses in the area.

Mueller said she is proud that her company is further investing in the state that she now calls home.

"I think it shows how much success we've had in this area already and the fact that we're already doing so well," she said.

Ohio County administrator Greg Stewart told NEWS9 that the Highlands location gets about 3 million visitors a year. He said he is not worried that the Charleston location will take away business from the Highlands.