Flyfisherjoe, I asked the same question a few years ago and just that same week an article in the Wall Street Journal was printed. The mail order business is actually stronger than in-person sales on an annual perspective. These stores draw in customers and create large tourist attractions for the local economy, which will just support the operating costs. The goal of most of thse stores, according to the article was just to break even. Catalog and internet sales are supposedly the bresd and butter. I may be an example of this myself. Here in Kansas City, we had a new store open up about 3 years ago and I visit it about 10 times a year, but I myself spend 3 times the money That i spend in the store on internet purchases instead.

Sory I forgot some info. The WSJ article was about Cabelas and BPS, and the store here in KC is a Cabelas. We have a BPS that is currently under construction on the east side of the metro area. I can't wait.

[This message has been edited by Soup (edited 04 June 2005).]