Buyer looking at old Wal-Mart -- but it's not Cabela's

A buyer is in negotiations to purchase the former Wal-Mart store in South Carson City, according to the chain's local community affairs manager -- but contrary to rumors, it's not Cabela's.

"We do have an interested buyer and we're hoping to close escrow in the next five weeks," said Wal-Mart spokeswoman Amy Hill. She said she could not release the name of the potential buyer until the sale is complete but described the person as a developer.

Rumors have been circulating that Cabela's Inc., a sporting goods outfitter based in Sydney, Neb., was looking at the 119,000-square-foot building. Joe McCarthy, Carson's economic development and redevelopment manager, confirmed the city has tried to attract their attention.

"We, the city, have been in contact with Cabela's several times in trying to interest them in locating here," he said. "Cabela's is a very attractive business to bring to Carson City. Communities all over America are competing for Cabela's."

Cabela's, which describes its new location in Reading, Penn., with a 237,000 square-foot showroom, archery range and 56,000-gallon aquarium, as the state's No. 1 tourist attraction, is opening stores in the East.

"Our main concentration now is the Eastern United States," said a woman in Cabela's real estate office who would not give her name. "At this time your area is not on our target screen. Anyhow, we do not go into any existing buildings."

Cabela's spokesman Joe Arterburn confirmed her statement.

"Cabela's on a daily basis receives proposals all over the country from developers, economic development groups, that sort of thing. At this point we're not making any commitments that Nevada or anywhere else is an area we're ready to move into," he said.

Wal-Mart vacated the Carson City store and relocated to Douglas County in August 2002.

Carson businessman Jerry Vaccaro said he signed an agreement with Wal-Mart Realty to buy the South Carson building on Oct. 9, 2002. He filed a complaint in Carson District Court, saying real estate broker Mike Giusti conspired with contractor Ron Weddell to "pirate" his deal to purchase the former Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart's Hill said his charges have been dropped, allowing the current deal to proceed, but Vaccaro disagrees.

"The escrow could have been closed May 30, but Wal-Mart declined to do that," he said. "It's a shame that they couldn't see a clear settlement offer and close the deal. That's why we have a lawsuit right now."

Meanwhile, McCarthy said the city is eager to see the process move along.

"We're very interested in having the property filled," he said. "The Southgate shopping center is so important to Carson City. It truly is the center of the universe for the south half of our community."