OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Uncertainty about Cabela’s future has already slowed the housing market in the outdoor retailer’s hometown of Sidney, and that is likely to intensify now that the company agreed to be bought by rival Bass Pro.

The sharp drop in housing demand in the western Nebraska town of about 7,000 is a sharp contrast to what residents were used to before Cabela’s started reviewing its strategic options last year.

Last week’s $4.5 billion deal to sell Cabela’s raises questions about the roughly 2,000 people the company employs in Sidney even though Springfield, Missouri-based Bass Pro pledged to maintain significant operations there.

Kevin Ross with Asmus Brothers Realty in Scottsbluff said the departure of a large number of people will depress Sidney’s real estate prices.