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Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 12, 2007, 10:33 AM:
Bass Pro Shops' big splash in July
Outdoor-equipment retailer rising in R.C.'s Victoria Gardens
By Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 06/11/2007 12:00:00 AM PDT
Bass Pro Shops at Victoria Gardens. The grand opening is scheduled for July 18.
(Therese Tran/Staff Photographer) RANCHO CUCAMONGA - Unlike the fish that got away, the soon-to-open Bass Pro Shops is truly enormous.
The outdoor-equipment retailer boasts unconventional amenities, such as an archery range, trout stream and fudge-making room.
At 193,000 square feet, it is 40,000 square feet bigger than its Las Vegas counterpart - now the closest Bass Pro Shops to Southern California.
Calling this a store would be akin to describing Disneyland as a quaint fair.
The hard-to-miss Bass Pro Shops at Victoria Gardens will open its doors to the public July 18 for an "Evening for Conservation."
Half of the proceeds from sales that evening will go toward the More Fish Campaign launched by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
The retailer opens at 8 a.m. the following day to kick off its long opening weekend.
The Rancho Cucamonga location is the first California store for the Missouri-based Bass Pro Shops, which has 42 stores in the U.S. and Canada.
Officials have found it hard to predict how many visitors will come to this haven
for sportsmen. Chartered buses have already been scheduled to arrive from as far away as Sacramento.
Mike Nelson, economic-development manager for Rancho Cucamonga, said with a higher concentration of anglers and hunters in the coastal states, the store will be tapping into a huge market that has been underserved.
"Why they weren't here sooner, I don't know," said Nelson.
Construction delays have pushed back the grand-opening date from June to July. Now, the sound of electric saws and staple guns permeates throughout the behemoth of a building.
Even the fish are getting ready.
Several schools of bass, crappie and bluegill are acclimating to their new aquarium.
Muralists have paint brushes in hand, making the final touches in hopes that shoppers will come with credit cards in hand.
When it comes to merchandise, there's plenty to buy here - from walking shoes for the Pacific Electric Trail to long rifles for a Kenyan safari.
"We have a catfish section that's bigger than the entire store at other places," bragged merchandise manager Jim Smith.
The retailer is expected to bring the city $750,000 to $1 million a year in sales-tax revenue, Nelson said.
Smith said the operation in its first year will undergo quite a learning curve.
Officials know that the outdoor market is a sizeable one but there isn't a California retailer that compares to the scope of Bass Pro Shops.
Outdoor enthusiasts are purchasing much of their gear online so whether the store's saltwater-fishing department will be more popular than the archery department is a mystery for the time being.
"In the first year, the sportsmen will be coming out of the woodwork," Smith said.
Other store highlights include a rock-climbing wall, boat showroom and service center, shooting range, the Islamorada Fish Company restaurant that seats 300 people and two waterfalls that make their way to a trout pond.
The fish, along with the animals depicted in murals and mounted on walls, are native to California, and their presence helps blur the line between retail store and natural-history museum.
Muralist Bob Sopchick has been conducting research on Big Bear and Joshua Tree areas in preparation for the giant painting that will greet visitors in the entry way. He said depicting the region's wildlife helps make this a "neighborhood store."
City officials are gearing up for an opening weekend of proportions far grander than for a neighborhood store.
Parking is expected to cause some headaches even if the Bass Pro Shops parking lot can accommodate 900 vehicles. The city is looking into using nearby schools and vacant lots for parking and getting shuttles to transport shoppers.
The city's advice - you're better off car-pooling.
Bass Pro Shops at Victoria Gardens is at 7777 Victoria Gardens Lane, adjacent to the 15 Freeway.
For more information, visit www.basspro.com.
Posted by onecoyote (Member # 129) on June 12, 2007, 02:27 PM:
Great news, it's about time. Maybe I'll move back to California if they hire 64 year olds ![[Confused]](confused.gif)
Posted by TRnCO (Member # 690) on June 12, 2007, 05:15 PM:
quote:
The outdoor-equipment retailer boasts unconventional amenities, such as an archery range, trout stream and fudge-making room.
So the mens room is now called a "fudge-making room" and since when was it uncomventional to have a mens room in such an establishment. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on June 12, 2007, 06:37 PM:
The bass pro in Mesa Az. opened last week I havent been there yet but I expect a great show when I finnaly get there along with high prices like cabelas (most items cheaper on line) or look at it at bass pro or cabelas and purchase it from one of our small local guys or sportsmans w-house..
PM
Posted by JoeF (Member # 228) on June 12, 2007, 09:23 PM:
Think positive - hopefully they'll do just like the parent store in Springfield, Mo. and open an over-stock and returns outlet next door so there'll actually be a reason to stop and shop there.
Otherwise, their prices can usually be beaten at most mom and pop sporting goods stores. Sad commentary for a retail chain.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 12, 2007, 10:08 PM:
That's the problem, Joe. No mom and pop stores anymore, strictly catalog. LB
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on June 12, 2007, 10:26 PM:
I was under the impression that the big hitters, Cabellas, Pro Shop, & Sportsmans were avoiding The people's Republic of Calif. because of the wacky gun laws.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 12, 2007, 10:45 PM:
Even Walmart doesn'r sell guns in Kalifornia.
edit: I'm so friggin' sick of this state.
[ June 12, 2007, 10:46 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by newbomb (Member # 888) on June 13, 2007, 06:03 AM:
A few of the newer walmarts here in Indiana are not selling guns but still have ammo.
Posted by JoeF (Member # 228) on June 14, 2007, 09:59 AM:
Our local Wal-Mart went from a store that kept a book under the gun counter where you could special order just about any gun you wanted to being gunless.
Evidently it is a choice left to the local store managers. What a dumbass - this is a part of the country where some schools close for deer season. Their hunting related clothing sales went to nothing so they brought back ammo. I'm right proud to say that from a hunting supplies standpoint the locals have done a decent job of boycotting them.
It sure breathed new life in the local shops. A friend had even stopped stocking AA shotgun shells because he couldn't compete with Wal-Marts purchasing power. Not no more, he stocks cases of every flavor.
K-Mart did the same thing years before. I'm surprised the place stays open. Ghost town.
I did do an involuntary tour through Wal-Mart the other day. No guns, but they have pig stomach in the food section. WTF? What's that for?
Posted by Edge (Member # 426) on June 14, 2007, 01:28 PM:
I went to the BP in Vegas(prolly Henderson)the gun room guy was a dork.
Prices were OK,but whne I go there its not to comparison shop,its cuz the 2 hr drive is worth it cuz I need something.
Edge
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 14, 2007, 01:38 PM:
The one I've seen, never been inside, is right off the I15, on the LA side of town, whereas Henderson is clear over on the other side? Why is it that I'm too busy with other things, while in Vegas? Man, I did a crazy thing and rode that roller coaster on the top of NYNY. I don't think I opened my eyes after the first drop. Are those things completely safe?
Anyway, now we have Bass Pro and I will make the pilgrimage. I do agree that Cabellas has become very pricy with it's success. Is the one in Glendale like the others(?), you can easily kill an afternoon, I know that.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Edge (Member # 426) on June 14, 2007, 02:41 PM:
Yeah,on the LA side........its I-15 all the way.
No,roller coasters are not safe;people puke on you.
I went to the csbelas in sidney,I was nonplussed.
Edge
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