A Look Inside Bass Pro Shops

[icejammer]

Sorry for not tacking this onto the end of another existing thread, but since things are really shaping up out there, thought a new thread in order....

A Starbucks cafe and an Islamorada Restaurant featuring fresh sea food and steaks will be part of the new Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, now rising on 20 acres near the Mid-America Center.

The Daily Nonpareil received the first media tour of the new 130,000-square-foot Bass Pro Shop project, a massive project costing millions of dollars to create an indoor wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts that is set for an early November opening.

The company has declined to reveal the amount of its investment, which is expected to annually attract 2.5 million people to the area. Nationally Bass Pro stores attract 63 million people.

"The store's coming along really well," said Jim Goff, general manager of the Council Bluffs store.

Nearly 200 days into its construction, significant details of the building are taking form.

The steel frame has been raised and the walls are up. Drywall is going up and insulation put in place as roughly 150 construction workers daily bring the retail powerhouse into reality at 2900 27th Ave.

Once inside the store's north side entrance, which will sport a log cabin look, visitors will be greeted by an inlaid brass Bass Pro logo adorning the floor. A 30-foot waterfall is being created on the building's south edge. It will sit next to an aquarium.

The polished concrete floor, sprinkled with the tracks of North American wildlife, is ringed on three sides by retail balconies.

A stairway on the right leads to the upper level, which will feature hunting and camping gear, footwear and an arcade.

Fishing, boats, marine, apparel, water sport supplies and gifts will be offered on the lower level, which also is the location for Starbucks and the restaurant, a link to one of Bass Pro's Florida locations.

Peaked windows add a distinctive touch to the exterior. The glassed-in area on the southeast corner will be home to the store's stock of fishing and recreational boats.

The store is being built around a theme that will reflect the Missouri River area and southwest Iowa, Goff said. Still-to-be-collected local mementos and artifacts will be included in the design, which continues to evolve as the store is built.

Much of that localizing will begin next month, Goff said.

Earth is being moved on the south side of the building for a two-acre wetland that will feature native grass and flowers. The wetland is expected to attract migratory birds.

Many of the store's 250 employees are expected to be hired during a job fair, scheduled for Aug. 8-10 at the Mid-America Center.

The Council Bluffs store is one of six under construction. The Springfield, Mo.-based chain will then feature 32 super stores.

Goff said Bass Pro is more than an outdoor retailer.

"We're entertainment. We're educators as well," he said.

The company previously has announced plans to offer educational and conservation programs.

An Evening of Conservation, an advance preview of the store featuring local conservation groups, is traditionally offered by Bass Pro the night before a store opens.

Goff said he has a good idea of the reaction he'll get from his customers.

"Completely overwhelmed."

[loyalomahan]

I can't believe Cabela's is just going to stand by and watch while Bass Pro Shops plucks it's biggest home state market. I wouldn't give them any tax incentives, I expect them to counter with an Omaha metro store with or without them.

The Bass Pro store sounds like it will be incredible. I hope this draws some more attractions to the MAC area. Any word on the hotel/water park?

[icejammer]

Nothing more on the hotel/water park; the developer and City are haggling over a few minor details and allowing more public use of the water park. Hopefully, work gets going on the hotel by end of month, and we'll start to see a few more retail/dining going into the area.

[Brad]

Sorry for not tacking this onto the end of another existing thread, but since things are really shaping up out there, thought a new thread in order....

not really, keep the new users in formed with the history of the project, always use the old thread.

[icejammer]

Sorry for not tacking this onto the end of another existing thread, but since things are really shaping up out there, thought a new thread in order....

not really, keep the new users in formed with the history of the project, always use the old thread.

With over half a dozen threads on Bass Pro Shops already, I think we already passed that point Brad. But thank you for your input.

[Brad]

Bass Pro Career Fair
New site looking for employees

http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/1655101.html

The new Bass Pro Shop in Council Bluffs doesn't open for business until November but beginning Monday, they're open for job applicants.

http://www.basspro.com

[icejammer]

Another update as grand opening gets closer (how much closer is the $64,000 question right now)....

'Outdoors' taking shape inside sporting goods store

A dry creek bed is taking shape in Council Bluffs, just outside the new Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World.

That's one of the latest revelations at the outdoor retail giant that continues on track for an early November opening. No specific date has been set.

Michael Cox, Bass Pro's promotions manager, provided The Daily Nonpareil with an update on recent construction efforts.

A 12-foot-tall fireplace now sits to the right of the north entrance with a large Iowa map gracing the wall high above the entrance.

Animal tracks trail across the polished concrete floor that looks like it could be used for skating. Wood covers the steel girders as a distinctly outdoor feel begins to consume the two-story building that will have 130,000 square feet of retail space, plus additional room for offices, classrooms and a three-lane indoor archery range.

Wooden doors with the feel of a hunting lodge lead to the offices, the break room and closets.

The second floor is starting to look like the area where hunting goods will be sold on the west and camping and footwear offered to the east. There are new murals and exhibits featuring taxidermy, photos and boats.

New on the second floor is a children's shooting gallery, set in a farm scene.

Looking down from a second-story balcony, the visitor can see where the Islamorada Restaurant will sit. Much work remains to be done there, and the Starbucks has yet to take form.

Changing rooms with the look of a small wooden shed have been built on the first floor. That's where Bass Pro's apparel section is planned. The floor also will house fishing equipment., boats, marine, water sport supplies and gifts.

The boats will be displayed in the large glassed-in area where the store's artwork, taxidermy and other decorative items now arrive before their installation.

What will be a small lake on the south side is still a wetlands, but the Outdoor World sign was placed on the exterior wall during the past week. Lights have been mounted on polls around the building and stone surrounds the pillars at the entryway while the log cabin effect has been added near the north entry. Trees, shrubs and sod are in place.

The store is almost an amusement park for outdoor enthusiasts.

Cox said interviews are continuing for the nearly 300 job opening at Bass Pro. The store took around 3,000 applications during a three-day job fair in August.

Cox can only shake his head in amazement as the multi-million-dollar project rises from the land south of the Mid-America Center. He is kept busy planning for the grand opening and classes the store will offer.

"We're on schedule," Cox said.

[Brad]

I drove by last thursday and it is looking Great!

[icejammer]

Noticed a large quantity of boats being delivered on-site today. They also have the Bass Pro Shops logo up all over the place now. 3 weeks from yesterday and counting to the grand opening!

[loyalomahan]

Are they still going to stick the logo on the side of the MAC itself? (we saw a rendering which showed this)

[eomaha]

[Brad]

Did you see what appears to be a lake between you and the building on the second picture, it would be the north east corner. I really like all of the landscaping around the building.

[eomaha]

That actually ends up being the southeast corner... the 'ugly' side of the building faces the interstate (which is different than the early rendering they publicized)

[CountOfMC]

Looking good. Are there any signs marketing this place along the interstate? I don't think many out of town travelers are going to turn around if they missed the exit. I think it'd make sense to put big attractive signs 5, 10, 20 miles out.

[Brad]

That actually ends up being the southeast corner

I thought one thing and typed another?

[icejammer]

Celebrities to join Bass Pro Shops for ribbon-cutting

NASCAR driver Tony Stewart; Iowa wrestling legend Dan Gable; four-time Bass Master Classic champion and recently voted Greatest Bass Angler of all Time Rick Clunn; legendary angler and TV host Jimmy Houston; 15-time PWT Championship qualifier and 2002 champion Keith Kavajecz; also 15-time PWT Championship qualifier Gary Parsons; and RedHead Pro Hunting Team and Outdoor World TV spokesperson Jerry Martin are among the many celebrities attending.

[MTO]

So where’s the “look inside”, what no sneak peek shots?

[loyalomahan]

Are you kidding me? Let's see: stuffed fish, fishing nets, boats hanging from the ceiling... you want more?


I'm more interested in when the ribbon cutting is/was? Did it already happen. Come on icejammer, at least give us the 'when'.

[MTO]

Well how about the expansiveness and if theirs any water features inside? I suppose ill see how aw-inspiring it is in person on the 2nd.

[icejammer]

So where’s the “look inside”, what no sneak peek shots?

Just drive by in the morning or evening, when it's lit up inside, you'll get your peek.

I'm more interested in when the ribbon cutting is/was? Did it already happen. Come on icejammer, at least give us the 'when'.

Well, it's in the story I linked to, but Nov. 2, from 6-9. (pm)

[Brad]

Bass Pro Shop Set to Open

http://www.kptm.com/news/local/1822991.html

With over 130,000 square feet and millions of dollars worth of merchandise, the new bass pro shop is an outdoorsman's paradise. The twenty-ninth store took a year to complete. It features an 18,000 gallon aquarium, a waterfall and dozens of mounted animals from Iowa and Nebraska, and it will also have the Islamorada fish restaurant. But the shop prides itself on other accomplishments.

NEXT THURSDAY OPENING

The ribbon-cutting, which is open to the public, is next Wednesday night at 6:00 pm. The store begins normal operating hours the following day on Thursday.

[icejammer]

If you're heading down to the grand opening next week, you'll be able to drive on the new Bass Pro Drive....

In other actions at Monday night's meeting, the council also gave its approval to renaming a portion of South 33rd Street and 29th Avenue between 23rd Avenue and South 24th Street to Mid-America Drive, and a portion of South 32nd Street and 27th Avenue between 23rd Avenue and M.A.C. Boulevard to Bass Pro Drive.

I suppose the CB City Council is wanting to make it easier for someone to find the Mid-America Center and Bass Pro Shops searching through MapQuest (or similar site).

Judging by the looks of the interior driving by this morning, I'd guess some workers are going to be picking up some good paychecks working overtime the next 6 days!

[Omaha Cowboy]

Not that it is a major thrill..But Starbucks will have a locale inside the store..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

[icejammer]

Bass Pro Shops to christen its 'outdoors' with grand opening

The waiting is over, and tonight the public has its first chance to go inside Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World.

Passing under the north awning by the rocking chairs set up for checkers, visitors will be greeted by a stunning 130,000-square-foot building that is a combination of natural history museum and a theme park for the outdoor enthusiast, presented by the company billed as the world's largest supplier of outdoor products.

To the left you can go up the stairs to the hunting area, complete with firearms and outdoor wear.

Heading in that direction takes shoppers past the indoor shooting range where youngsters can try their luck with laser-guns and eventually to the camping department. The upper level also is home to the archery department, indoor archery range and camouflage clothing.

Behind the scenes are seminar rooms for outdoor education classes, staff meeting rooms, break rooms and offices.

Moving straight into the massive structure takes the shopper past the Starbucks and to another set of stairs and a waterfall. Below the waterfall is a footbridge that heads into the Arctic Cat ATV section over a stream filled with trout and past an aquarium stocked with native fish species.

The fishing department is located on the east side of the main floor, featuring row after row of lures, rods and reels. Behind that is an area that soon will feature a 12,500-gallon saltwater aquarium.

Boats, two dozen or so inside the building and 150 in stock, occupy the southeast corner of Bass Pro. Tracker boats and Mercury outboards are everywhere.

Everywhere the visitor looks there's an inventory that easily is worth millions, according to the staff. About 300 will work there.

The Islamorada Fish Company is still taking shape in the northeast corner of the building. Michael Cox, Bass Pro's promotions manager in Council Bluffs, said it is now scheduled to open at the end of February. The high-end restaurant will feature fresh seafood.

Throughout the store the visitor can test their outdoor knowledge by checking into the animal tracks in the polished concrete floor. It's easier to recognize the 5,800 specimens of fish and wildlife that are mounted throughout the building or to simply relish the beauty of the murals painted high on the walls.

The multi-million-dollar retail wonder world opens tonight at 6 with a special Evening of Conservation, devoted to raising funds for the more than 40 groups that will set up in the back of the store.

Celebrities attending tonight's event include NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, Iowa wresting legend Dan Gable, four-time Bass Master Classic champion Rick Clunn and Outdoor World TV spokesman Jerry Martin.

World of Outlaws driver Danny Lasoski and former Nebraska Cornhusker and San Francisco 49ers star Roger Craig are scheduled later in the weekend.

Special displays will include the King of Bucks Trailer with more than two dozen world record white tail deer mounts and the Coca Cola Racing Simulator.

Sitting under the eight-point buck trophy that hangs above his desk and in front of two large leaping big mouth bass, Cox is ready for the celebration of the company's 29th store to begin.

He's been to Bass Pro store openings before and has an idea of what kind of reaction to expect from the public.

"I think they're just going to be amazed," Cox said. "We definitely hope they're excited."

[Brad]

Tonight at 6pm, 2003 NASCAR champion Tony Stewart, driver of the #20 Home Depot Chevy. Also the #1 Bass Pro Shop car of Martin Truex Jr. will be there all week.

[jcitta]

I went and checked out the new BPS. It is very very nice. It was extremely packed. I got an autograph from Tony Stewart...he was a nice guy. Great development for the metro.

[eomaha]

I'll have to check it out. This is the first development for Council Bluffs to provide a legitimate draw for retail sales revenue from across the river (hopefully from cross country travellers as well). Hopefully it will draw some more retailers to the Plaza.

[icejammer]

This is the first development for Council Bluffs to provide a legitimate draw for retail sales revenue from across the river

Perhaps the first legitimate draw for retail for West Omaha residents accustomed to seeing a strip mall on every corner (j/k, but not by much), but CB is already serving a substantial base of under-served east Omaha in the retail market.

Anyway, I know what you meant, and I sincerely hope that this is the case. A little balance to the retail dollar flow across the river would be a good thing for everyone. I'm really surprised that we haven't seen more retail and dining establishments announcing down there - even if the retail traffic to Bass Pro is half what is forecast, that would be plenty enough traffic to support a couple major chain restaurants.

[icejammer]

Spotlights crisscrossed the sky, the company logo flashed in a hot air balloon, a bluegrass band played and hundreds of people began shopping hours early as the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World opened in Council Bluffs.

The 130,000-square-foot, multi-million-dollar outdoor superstore, nearly two years in the making, became a reality for area residents Wednesday. The scheduled 6 p.m. opening for the Night of Conservation fell by the wayside as people already had formed a line by 9:30 a.m.

"They called me in Springfield (Mo.), and I said, 'Open the doors and let 'em come in,'" said a smiling Jim Hagale, Bass Pro's president.

Duck calls and the splash of the store's waterfall mixed with the buzz of shoppers pushing carts through a retail outlet unlike any the area has seen. Nearly 40 conservation groups filled the area near the rear of the store; and customers used their cell phones to snap pictures of NASCAR superstar Tony Stewart, who drew the night's biggest line among autograph seekers seeking to meet a host of celebrities.

Stewart was one of the draws for Debbie McNealy of Greenwood, Neb., who also brought daughter Ashley to see the store. Debbie McNealy is involved in hunting and fishing with her son and husband, and has been to Bass Pro's store in the company's home base of Springfield, Mo.

"It's nice not to have to drive that far to go to a hunting store," she said.

Ashley was impressed.

"It's more than the store in Springfield," she said.

Mike Munch of Omaha came to the store to look for some boots. He's been to other Bass Pro stores and he expects to be a regular at this one.

"This is nice," he said.

Duane Long of Council Bluffs said he's checked out other Bass Pros and the competition, and nothing tops the new store.

"It's got pretty much everything," Long said.

Local officials also were excited to see the results of their development efforts.

Melvyn Houser, chairman of the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, watched the opening ceremony from the Starbucks counter and wasn't sure what to expect.

"This is phenomenal," he said. "They'll be great community partners."

Mayor Tom Hanafan handed the official certificate of occupancy to Hagale during an opening ceremony. Touring the store later with his grandson, the mayor said he remembered sitting down with County Supervisor Delbert King when officials began to work on landing Bass Pro.

"This is beyond our wildest dreams," Hanafan said. "It's a real wow!"

The night also brought a smile to the face of Chamber of Commerce President Bob Mundt, who called Bass Pro a "new level" for the city.

"We anticipate this area to grow out here," he said. "That will help everybody."

Throughout the evening, Hagale moved around the store, thanking people and shaking hands, shaking his head at the crowd that packed the company's 33rd store.

"We're really excited," Hagale said. "The store just turned out fantastic."

[icejammer]

Educational pond planned for Bass Pro

The pond would be used for educational activities, Malmquist said, such as wildlife seminars and fly-casting classes for fishermen, she said.

It will also provide a nice view for diners at the new restaurant planned for the store, she said.

Also, I'll just throw this in the same thread....

Finally made it to Bass Pro Shops over the weekend, got their pretty much as the doors opened, so there wasn't an overwhelming crowd. Very impressive store - more so than the only Cabela's I've been to (the one in KC, next to the race track, and by happenstance, also during it's grand opening celebration). The most impressive thing to me was the sales associates - every single one we saw met us with a smile and "hello" and almost all of them even knelt down to say 'hi' to my son and shake his hand. My wife was very impressed, which is saying something, considering she'e something of an anti-outdoorsperson (not against people doing outdoors stuff, just against being outdoors in general). Looks like the seafood restaurant has had almost no work done on it to this point, so I would guess March or April for an opening date - I suppose it will depend on weather and contractors.

If you haven't been, I recommend the trip, even if you're not too into the outdoors.

[icejammer]

Thus it finally begins, long rumored, now official, Ruby Tuesday's will be building down by Bass Pro and the MAC and the Star Cinema.

The council approved a Ruby Tuesday restaurant to be built along 23rd Avenue at the intersection of Bass Pro Drive, northwest of the Bass Pro Shops.

[nebugeater]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=46& ... nd=5345105

A Ruby Tuesday restaurant is coming to the area just north of the newly opened Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Council Bluffs.


Here is the Ruby Tuesday story from the OWH

[Brad]

I didn't get any daylight pics of the front due to the location of the sun

[icejammer]

Here's a couple shots of the front I took in November - not the best sun angle then either. Some day I'll remember to take the camera inside for some shots.

[icejammer]

[quote]...Ruby Tuesday's will be building down by Bass Pro and the MAC and the Star Cinema.

FYI - Ground has been broken, dirt is being moved for the restaurant. And speaking of restaurants, the seafood restaurant set to open at Bass Pro Shops still looks to be 60-90 days off.

[icejammer]

Well, things must have gone up in a real hurry, the seafood restaurant, Islamorada Fishing Company, is set to open on the 13th (just ahead of Horseshoe's opening, which will be a real cluster-you-know-what down around the MAC). I will be interested in seeing the mermaids, however.

Islamorada to bring south Florida style to Bluffs

A 25-foot eel will greet the customers.

That is, the ones who don't get stuck looking at the hickory-powered rotisserie. Or the mermaids.

The Islamorada Fishing Company opens on Monday, an addition to the Bass Pro Shops store in Council Bluffs and a unique dining alternative.

Islamorada (eye-lah-muh-rah-duh) General Manager John MacKenzie points out, it's not like anything seen before in Council Bluffs.

"A jaw dropper," he calls it.

"I think we've come up with the hardest restaurant name to pronounce in town," MacKenzie said.

The Council Bluffs restaurant will be the fifth in a chain that started in the Florida Keys with Bass Pro and is now a division of the outdoor retailer. Fish hang from the 40-foot-high ceilings in rooms that have the feel of a south Florida fishing resort.

The first restaurant, in Islamorada, is right on the ocean, MacKenzie said. He is trying to bring as much of that feel as possible to the Midwest.

But just as a Bass Pro Shops store in Council Bluffs is different from one in Florida, the Islamorada Fish Company here will be different from those in Islamorada; Ft. Lauderdale; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and Clarksville, Ind.

There won't be a beach at Islamorada Fishing Company, but the laid-back feel of the Florida Keys is something MacKenzie feels can be reproduced in Council Bluffs.

"Relaxing travels. Sandy beaches don't travel," he said.

Fish travels as well, with Islamorada planning to feature locally provided fresh fish, flown in daily from around the country.

"Sea food is going to be a big part of what we're about," MacKenzie said.

Offerings are set to include mahi mahi, salmon, yellowfin tuna, a smoked trout appetizer, mussels and oysters.

The menu also features Midwestern favorites, and MacKenzie anticipates the sportsmen who work at the store will bring him their own recipes, adding to the local feel of the operation.

Wood chips shipped in from Arkansas will make the rotisserie chicken a stand-out dish. The menu also includes alligator, buffalo, catfish, calamari, elk steaks, pork chops, steaks and pasta dishes.

The Islamorada Fishing Company also will make a name for itself with specialties like the grouper Reuben sandwich and venison-stuffed mushrooms.

The restaurant will have two entrances, one from the outside on the east and one from the store. Patio dining will be featured on the east side of the store.

A slightly elevated marble-topped bar is backed by a 13,000-gallon saltwater aquarium including a corral reef. It features a standup marble cocktail table and the massive eel.

Just off the bar there is a large dining area next to the main retail floor, and behind that another dining room that can be rented for special occasions.

Throughout the restaurant is the kind of detail that Bass Pro Shops have become known for putting into the retail stores. Lamps featuring sea scenes and fishing rods, sea lanterns to provide light and painted murals to set the mood for relaxed dining.

Islamorada will seat 213 inside and 40 outside, with hours from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. MacKenzie said they will put out a high quality product but are attempting to avoid the prices usually associated with "fine dining." Most entrees will be priced less than $20.

Oh, about those mermaids. The two ladies, fins and all, will sit and hand candy to children and meet diners on their way into the restaurant.

"Nobody else has mermaids," MacKenzie said.

According to legend, they live off the coast of Islamorada and make their living as salvage divers. They're paid by the restaurant in alligator, calamari and grouper sandwiches.

"They look at Council Bluffs as an exotic location," MacKenzie said.

People soon may be considering Islamorada Fishing Company the same way.