Northwest Fishing Reports

Someone had told me that there was going to be a Joe's coming to Spokane. Anyone know anything about this?

The outside of the building is already done. The location is just NW of Sportsman's Warehouse; on the other side of the Indiana/Evergreen Road intersection; just N. of I-90.

Thanks, do you know when they are expecting to open?

Man I wish they would open one of these stores in an area more north like wandermere or northpoint...I hate having to drive all the way to the valley...i'd rather just stop at white elephant first

I can tell you this if you shop a sportsmans warehouse your going take one step in that new Joe's take a look, turn around and never go back. Sportsmans is 10 times better than Joe's.

I'll usually try a store at least once. It is funny you said that, because that is exactly what I did when they opened up the Big Lots store. That is a dime store that offers nothing!

Now, Cabela's I am really waiting for to open this fall in Post Falls.:bounce:

Marc Martyn wrote:Now, Cabela's I am really waiting for to open this fall in Post Falls.:bounce:

Me too! I suspect it will hurt business at many of the local sporting goods outlets though.

Marc Martyn wrote:Thanks, do you know when they are expecting to open?

No idea; however, Joe's is advertising for Spokane employees on their website.

Think a much nicer, General Store and you have Joe's. From my shopping experience at two Joe's, I'd say they beat Sportsman's Warehouse in clothing (especially women's stuff) and shoes. However, they can't touch the gun inventory of Sportsman's Warehouse or its Hunting Department. I'd call it a "draw" on the two stores Fishing Departments and Joe's has a lot of automotive stuff.

As to competition... Cabela's, Sportsman's Warehouse, Joe's and White Elephant all apeal to different segments of the market. For example, Cabela's promotes their own products and keeps employee staffing low at their retail stores. When a Cabela's opened near the home, Sportsman's Warehouse store in Utah; SW lost business for 6 months and then had its biggest profit period EVER the next 6 months.

I've never shopped at Joe's. C'mon Cabela's!

yeah, I cant wait for the Cabela's in Lacy to open. I heard november, cant wait

My first dealing with Cabela's was when they were just a catalog retailer in 1977. I found out about them by one of the "tear-out" catalog request cards in Fly Fisherman Magazine. They have been fantastic in the quality of their products and their excellent customer service. A few weeks after the opening, I am going over there in the middle of the week, buy a Buffalo Burger in the restaurant and spend the whole afternoon eyeballing:cyclops: the entire store. Should be fun!:cheers:

I just hope that Sportsman's Warehouse, Joe's, the White Elephant and now Cabela's, don't cut too seriously into the business at the "Silver Bow" fly shop. It's a great shop with excellent customer service. And, it doesn't deserve to be undercut. Sean and Larry and the crew will always do all they can to help you with whatever you need to have or whatever you need to know.

All the "Big Box" stores offer a lot, but the Silver Bow offers the high end fly fishing equipment and guide service. Joe's only offers low end and the middle of the road fly equipment. People also like to keep the money in the local community. Spokane is a tough town to own a fly shop in, always has been. Look how many have come and gone over the last 30 years. It is a bait fishing town, although in the last decade things are begining to change.

While not a fly fisherman, I agree that the big box stores won't impact the quality niche market mom & pop stores. It's hard to compete at that level in a big retail outlet.

I love Cabela's their staff in knowledgeable and awsome customer service. I have not had that level of service from sportman's warehouse or the Joe's I shopped at in Western Or.

However I think Cabela's will be a regional tourist stop. Personally if I just need a few wedding rings for Jr. to catch some planters with I go to the White Elephant not wanting to deal with the crowds of Cabela's or shopping mall parking lots.

I think there is a niche for the small guys and the boxes, but I don't think Joes timing or location is the best considering their next to Sportsman and 10 miles from Cabela's