Broulim’s, Hobby Lobby could join Cabela’s in Ammon

Cabela’s hasn’t made it to our area yet, but news of its entrance to the Idaho Falls market is already spurring new development.

Both Hobby Lobby and Broulim’s have filed with Bonneville County to build stores in the Sandcreek Commons shopping mall Cabela’s will occupy near Sunnyside Drive and Hitt Road.

“We have enough of the customers, we have enough of the traffic flow, we have enough of the investment that in the area that can attract big-box retailers,” said Linda Martin, CEO of Grow Idaho Falls.

Many say more businesses are interested in renting space in this part of town, but it can come at a fairly steep cost.

“Smaller retail’s not necessarily going have an easy time out there, but bigger stores will definitely come to that and take a look,” said Doug Page, who handles commercial real estate for Sperry Van Ness.

For Broulim’s, which operates a total of nine regional stores, this would be its first venture into the Idaho Falls area.

“The fact that they had interest here for a while and the fact that that’s coming to fruition, I think, is a very good sign,” said Martin.

But Broulim’s would face stiff competition from a number of nationally-known chains.

Ball Ventures, the company developing Sandcreek Commons, wouldn’t confirm if Hobby Lobby or Broulim’s are moving there.

We left a message for Robert Broulim, but didn’t hear back by airtime.