News
Bass Pro Shops Announces Plans to Open 4th California Store in Bakersfield
August 01, 2007
Bakersfield, CA - Bass Pro Shops,America’s most popular outdoor store, continues its retail growth with the announcement it will open a 150,000 square foot super outdoor store in Bakersfield, California. The store will be an anchor to Bakersfield Gateway, a planned 900,000 square foot mixed-use retail development at the northeast corner of the intersection of Hosking Avenue and State Route 99. The store is tentatively scheduled to open early 2009.
This major retail development will provide a wide variety of new shopping and employment opportunities to serve the explosive residential growth occurring in the southern section of Bakersfield. The development will feature lifestyle amenities including a central gathering area for various family-friendly activities, upscale landscaping, fountains, and park benches.
“The City of Bakersfield has committed $3 million for funding of the engineering drawings necessary for the interchange at Hosking Avenue and State Route 99. When completed, this interchange will allow full and complete access to the new development. This is the first step of the public/private partnership, in a two step process, of the planned construction of the intersection. The commitment of Bass Pro Shops is not only a tremendous addition to our conditioned growth, but they are also known as a great corporate citizen who gets involved in the community,” said Zack Scrivner, City Council Member, Ward Seven.
Award-winning in their concept and design, Bass Pro Shops retail stores are rated high as tourist-destination picks. Almost 90 million people visit their stores annually. Widely recognized for their efforts in conservation and outdoor education, Bass Pro Shops stores also offer Outdoor Skills Workshops for adults, kids and families.
The Bass Pro Shops stores are part museum, part art gallery, part aquarium, part education, conservation and entertainment centers. The Bakersfield store will offer shoppers 3 ½ football fields of shopping excitement with the area’s largest selection of quality outdoor gear, clothing and accessories from top industry names and at value prices. The store will offer equipment and clothing for hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, backpacking, wildlife viewing, camping, outdoor cooking and more. A gift and nature center will also serve up a wide variety of outdoor-related items from lamps and dishes to bird feeders and furniture.
An expansive boat showroom will feature Tracker, Nitro, Mako and SeaCraft boats built by Tracker Marine Group--the world’s largest manufacturer of fishing boats.
Unique exterior and interior motifs have branded Bass Pro Shops as visually appealing, high quality outdoor stores. The outdoor feel is brought indoors through massive log and rock work, large indoor aquariums and water features stocked with native fish species, as well as an extensive collection of museum quality fish and wildlife mounts. Historic photos and exhibits will pay tribute to Bakersfield ’s great outdoors heritage.
“We are excited about bringing our fourth Bass Pro Shops store to the great state of California . Bakersfield is one of the fastest-growing, large-population cities in the United States ,” said Bass Pro Shops President Jim Hagale. “This store, will be dedicated to the families and visitors who enjoy the many outdoor traditions this area has to offer.”
“We are confident this project will be a huge success, due in part to the incredible draw of Bass Pro Shops, which is widely known as a destination location for outdoor enthusiasts and others who come to shop their unique stores. In addition, a major medical campus is planned by Kaiser Permanente for the land adjacent to this development,” said Stephen Coslik with The Woodmont Company. “We are so impressed with the area; we are working on three other developments in the San Joaquin Valley.”
Bass Pro Shops, known for hiring associates that have a passion for the outdoors, is expected to employ approximately 300 people, many of whom will come from the local region. Employment information is available in the career opportunities section of www.basspro.com.
About Bass Pro Shops
Headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, Bass Pro Shops, also an international catalog and internet retailer, currently has 43 retail locations in 24 states and Canada. In addition, Bass Pro Shops, also provides products and services for thousands of independent dealers world wide through its subsidiary company, American Rod & Gun. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog call 1-800-BASS PRO.
About The Woodmont Company
The Woodmont Company, a Fort Worth, Texas-based commercial real estate investment and brokerage firm, has been in business for 27 years, growing to a nationwide network of more than 60 professionals and dozens of partner companies. Woodmont has developed, managed and brokered tens of millions of square feet, always focusing on a commitment to personal service and the client’s perspective. With offices in Fort Worth and Dallas, The Woodmont Company’s services include site selection, development, brokerage, investment, and property management. For more information, visit www.woodmont.com.