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Lew's Fishing Tackle investing $3.5M in HQ move

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Last edited 3:51 p.m., Oct. 23, 2014

Springfield-based Lew's Fishing Tackle announced plans to spend $3.5 million to move its headquarters to land north of the Partnership Industrial Center.

Morelock-Ross Builders Inc. is serving as general contractor for the 58,000-square-foot building, which would triple Lew's current 20,000-square-foot space at 2253 E. Bennett St., according to a news release from the Springfield Business Development Corp.

The SBDC, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and city of Springfield worked with Lew's executives to help the company land property tax abatement for the new building. Springfield Economic Development Director Mary Lilly Smith said the site falls in Springfield's Enhanced Enterprise Zone, meaning it has qualified for 50 percent abatement on new property improvements for 10 years. If the building is certified as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Silver or higher, the abatement level would increase to 75 percent, she said via email.

A groundbreaking ceremony at the 3031 N. Martin Ave. property is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Oct. 31. Lew's CEO Lynn Reeves said the company likely will move in to the new facility around June. Reeves said the company purchased the 4.75-acre site from Bob Wehr for $550,000.

"We chose that spot because we felt it had the best visibility of any plots that we looked at," Reeves said.

The company indicated a move to a larger facility is necessary to meet current and and future business needs. Lew's sells fishing rods and reels to customers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Academy Sports, Cabela's Inc. and Dick's Sporting Goods.

With the move, Lew's would add five jobs to its current staff of 26.

Reeves established Do Outdoors Inc. as the parent company of the fish-and-tackle retailer after purchasing the company in 2009. The former Bass Pro Shops divisional merchandise manager for fishing, marine and water sports now serves as CEO of Do Outdoors and Lew's Fishing. Sportman's Center, the retail side of the business, is also moving in the transition, Reeves said.

Lew Childre established Lew’s in 1949 and developed the Alabama brand – known for its pistol grip and as an early adopter of graphite rods – into a favorite among fishing enthusiasts in the 1960s and 70s. Childre died in 1977, and licensing rights were first sold off to rod-and-reel manufacturer Zebco in the late 1980s. While Zebco eventually phased out production of the Lew's brand, Reeves brought it back after buying the licensing and branding rights, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.[[In-content Ad]]

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