L.L. Bean, Kittery Trading Post, and...

Cabela's?

Could happen.

Cabela's, the Nebraska-based outdoor retail giant and one of LL's primary competitors, is sniffing around southern Maine looking for another place to call home.

Cabela's specializes in hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, pretty much in that order. And that might step on the toes of KTP more than Bean's, which is oriented more towards outdoor apparel, followed by outdoor gear lines in camping, boating, fishing, hunting and the like.

And Cabela's doesn't just throw up a small store and open the doors. Apparently (I've never visited one of their stores, but have purchased items through their online catalog), they build "destination retail stores."

Whoa.

Now that sounds like L.L. Bean-Freeport concept, for sure. These mammoth Cabela's stores "feature wildlife displays, large aquariums, indoor mountains, archery ranges and restaurants that specialize in game meals."

Indoor mountains?

This could be interesting.

Hey, competition keeps everybody honest. And on their toes.

And we outdoorsy folks holding the cash might even come up with some better deals out of the whole thing.

By the way, Cabela's bills themselves as the the "world's foremost outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear."

Oh yeah?

Them's likely fightin' words to the folks at L.L. Bean.

Guess we'll see what happens.