Specialty retailer Cabela’s — the world’s largest direct marketer of hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor merchandise — announced this morning it will build its first Ohio store in Columbus.

The 80,000-square-foot store will be located in the Polaris Centers development near I-71 and I-270 in northern Columbus. Company officials said in a news release that they expect to open the store in spring 2013.

The store is expected to employ up to 175 full- and part-time employees.

“We have so many great customers in the Buckeye State who share our passion for the outdoors, who live the Cabela’s lifestyle, we wanted to build this store to better serve them,” said Cabela’s Chief Executive Officer Tommy Millner said in a news release. “Generations of Ohioans have been loyal Cabela’s customers and now, with this store, they will be able to really share in the Cabela’s shopping experience.”

Construction is expected to start in spring 2012.