Where in Maine was this rustic photo taken?

L.L. Bean, of course. The outdoors outfitter is becoming more sportsman friendly, and this "lounge" was built into the new hunting and fishing store at the Freeport complex.

Bean is planning a major expansion soon on a 700-acre parcel in Freeport. Though details haven't been revealed, managers are planning a destination campus that could include venues to teach kayaking, fly-fishing and perhaps more.

It's a great idea. People love the Bean brand, and visitors would lilkely spend more time there if there were enough activities.

This "hold 'em" strategy is similar to that being developed by the Red Sox and Patriots. They know they have fan loyalty, and they are doing what they can to maximize commerical activity once the fans arrive.

The Red Sox have interests in several restaurants and souvenir stories near Fenway Park. They are trying to buy up nearby real estate to develop hotels that could carry the Sox theme. Who wouldn't want to take their kids to a Sox hotel? Those at Disney World have made a killing on such a connection.

The Patriots, with more unencumbered acreage, are now bringing in a Bass Pro Shop and a major hardware outlet - in addition to selling gear at the stadium.

Fans are wealthier than a generation ago - you have to be to buy a ticket. Once they arrive at the park they have money to spend. L.L. Bean appears to be seeking to tap into such a revenue stream. (Last year sales were up 4.6 percent to a record $1.5 billion. But what upwardly mobile exec ever said, "I think that's enough"?)

Cabela's is readying a $75 million outdoorsmen's complex in Scarborough. That could be another reason for Bean to be investigating this concept.

The view of Your Scribe: Bean does things well, as the new hunting and fishing store shows. If they want to develop a hands-on complex near the flagship store, I can offer only encouragement.

What do you think?

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