WrightwoodCalif.com Forum
Public Forums => Outdoors => Topic started by: Wrightwood on Aug 18, 05, 02:55:03 PM
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BASS PRO SHOPS: The latest to set its sights on Victoria Gardens is expected to open in 2007.
11:09 PM PDT on Tuesday, August 16, 2005
By DEVONA WELLS / The Press-Enterprise
Rivaling the size of Macy's and Robinsons-May, a giant hunting and fishing emporium is expected to land at Victoria Gardens.
Rancho Cucamonga officials announced Tuesday that Bass Pro Shops would open a 180,000-square-foot store fronting Interstate 15. Mall marketing director Glenn Miller declined comment.
It would be Southern California's first Bass Pro location -- a store where shoppers can learn archery, watch salespeople demonstrate fishing rods at an on-site pond, check out an indoor aquarium or grab lunch.
The store would join a swelling roster of retailers gravitating to the Inland Empire, many of which have chosen Victoria Gardens since the mall opened less than a year ago.
Construction of the store is expected to start within six months to ready it for a 2007 opening, city officials said.
Nearly 70 percent of Bass Pro will be dedicated to equipment and clothing for hiking, backpacking, fishing and other outdoor activities, Tuesday's release said. A boat showroom and service center is slated to cover more than a tenth of the store.
Some of the company's other 27 locations feature waterfalls and indoor rope bridges, according to its Web site. Company officials couldn't be reached late Tuesday.
Bass Pro would sit just a few blocks from Recreational Equipment Inc., known as REI, which carries some of the same outdoor-centric gear.
Rather than hurt business, REI spokesman Mike Foley said late Tuesday that having Bass Pro nearby could help boost interest in cycling, camping and climbing -- a benefit for both stores.
"I think it's a good sign the outdoor recreation community is growing in that area," he said.
Expectations for the mega-store are high at City Hall. The city's release said Bass Pro could deliver more than $1 million in sales taxes to the city. That would be one-third of what the city projected all of Victoria Gardens would bring in by 2008, before it knew Bass Pro was going there, Redevelopment Director Linda Daniels said.
The store also could push the distance that people will drive to shop in the city, Daniels said. A typical mall can expect a 15- or 20-mile draw, but Bass Pro pulls outdoor enthusiasts from as far as 100 miles away, she said.
Plus, it will predominantly bring men, she said.
"You can have the male shopper fitting his needs while the family enjoys Victoria Gardens," she said.
Reach reporter Devona Wells at (951) 368-9559 or dwells@pe.com
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SAY IT AINT SO!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
I'll run right over... after I'm done at Macy's! hehe
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I have been to the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, MO. (their original location) on several occassions. Going there is not a shopping trip, it is an experiance. Don't let the name fool you. Even if you've never "wet a line," you'll want to go, just to see the store.
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I know my husband will be all over that! He's been wondering for a long time when they would have a store out here. Can't wait to tell him. ;D
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I noticed last night that they have started work on the Bass Pro Shop right off the 15 freeway. Looks to be a pretty huge place.
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I love those types of stores. When we were in KS City, we went to the Cabelas just to look around. They had a hUGE aquarium with all types of game fish and enough stuffed animals to be considered a natural history museum. It was fascinating..
I hope Bass Pro Shop rivals Cabelas :2thumbsup:
PS.. I don't hunt or fish. I am not sure why I enjoy these stores so much! I am a wanna be fisherman. Someday..
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a bass shop at Victoria Secret Gardens? maybe they need to make a guy side and call it Vics Landings or something like that. I really dont like going to malls...Parking is always a pain. I rather go to a strip mall.
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I went to their website and saw that they might have a large aquarium with local fish and a casting pond. Sounds like I will have to check it out.
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The Bass Pro Shop appears to be located next to the mall area in a separate location.
You don't have to be a hunter or fisherman to enjoy the Bass Pro Shop in Vegas. They have tons of things for everyone. I was surprised at the collection of bird feeders, clothing, camping equipment and plenty more.
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If it has to do with outdoor activities you'll find it at Bass Pro. Its truly unbelievable.
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Another palce to spend a relaxing day of day dreaming ;D ;D
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When we were in Dallas last year for a short visit we asked for recommendations of things to do. A major suggestion was to visit the Bass Pro Shop. It was recommended just like Disneyland would be recommended if you were in Anaheim. We didn't go, but I'm sure we'll visit the new store here.
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Has anyone been to a BASS PRO SHOP. I see there will be one here in 2007. I here you can spend hours in this store...
Wonder what it is going to do to REI's business... ???
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Hillbilly... there's a store in Pennsylvania (and I'm not sure where else) called Cabellas. It's incredible! It's a HUGE outdoor store and has EVERYTHING! I absolutely love the store and if you get a chance to check it out, do so. You can see the online catalog probably at www.cabellas.com
If you love outdoor stores, this is the place to check out.
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Isn't there something like that on the way into Vegas? Some huge sporting type store, I know I have to make sure MrLK has the blinkers on to stop him looking... ;D
I love Victoria Gardens, Ontario Mills scares me, too many people.. :-\
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Yes. At the Silverton. Blue Diamond Highway (147 I think) and the 15.
It was the first one west of the Rockies. Now they are building several.
Reno, Manteca, Sacramento, Mesa AZ, and Rancho Cucamonga.
And Hillbily, it won't effect REI much at all. Totally different kind of store. I shop both. REI is serious mountaineering gear, Backpacking, Kayaking, Climbing. Bass Pro is fishing, hunting, firearms. I know I'll get flack for this, but I have been both so I can say this. Sierra Club members shop REI. NRA members shop Bass Pro. I have a good friend that works for REI and they are not concerned at all.
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Ah the good ol' NRA! (National Redneck Association) ;D
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Bass Pro Shop, Cabella's, Sportsmen Wearhouse. They are all pretty cool. My husband is so excited that they are building one in Victoria Gardens. He can hardly stand it. One more year to go.
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I think I'm gonna start warming up for the grand opening by standing around the coffee room at work spreading my arms apart practicing telling fish stories. I wonder how many times a the attendant at the casting is gioing to hear...
" You wouldn't believe what I'm gonna tell you now.......... ;D"
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You'll be alright to shop at REI Toolman, nothing wrong with a "cross-shopper"....
I'll be going to REI for my "HEMP" climbing rope, then over to Bass Pro Shop for my big deer killin' rifle..... ;D
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Never been to a Bass Pro.....gonna have to check it out.
They have a whole lot more than fishing equipment. Toolman will be buying more hummingbird feeders
REI may say they aren't worried but I'll bet the Bass Pro Shop takes it's share of REI business. Just think about how many people will buy gift certificates in the Bass Pro Shop rather than REI and that in itself could be significant.
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Wrightwood,
Is that a Christmas hint?
C
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You'll be alright to shop at REI Toolman, nothing wrong with a "cross-shopper"....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/MikeWorshum/laugh-cry.gif)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/MikeWorshum/laugh-cry.gif)
Good....I was beginning to worry about that....cool I can get reloading supplies, bird feeders, beef jerky, and new hiking gaiters all in one place.....or at least within walking distance of REI. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/MikeWorshum/Jackson.gif)
I can see Cinchy's husband now.....nose pressed up against the construction trailer glass. And all they'll see from the inside is a pair of......
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/MikeWorshum/eye.gif)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/MikeWorshum/eye.gif)
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Wrightwood,
Is that a Christmas hint?
C
It worked :thumbs:
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For those who have never been to a Bass Pro store, here are some pictures taken at the Springfield Mo. store.
Note: Except for the pictures obviously taken outdoors (sky showing) everything is inside the store.
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.CFPage?appID=94&storeID=15#gallery
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Well heck, it is Bass Pro, so I thought it would be a fishing store... ???
That's why I don't let MrLK stop, after all how many fishing rods does one man need? ;D
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Well heck, it is Bass Pro, so I thought it would be a fishing store... ???
That's why I don't let MrLK stop, after all how many fishing rods does one man need? ;D
As many as it takes to get the job done. Ya also have to have some back ups. If a fish were to take off with the rod and your boat dosen't get back to the dock for a few more hours your sol. I've seen a dude on a boat I was on loose his rod.
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I see the walls are starting to go up ;D :2thumbsup:
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Hey, we can now watch their progress on the Caltrans traffic cams:
(http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist8/tmc/Cam32.jpg)
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"Approximately 70 percent of the 180,000-square-foot facility will offer equipment and clothing for hiking, backpacking, hunting and fishing, wildlife viewing, camping, outdoor cooking, and more for the entire family. A gift and nature center will provide a wide variety of outdoor-related items, from lamps and dishes to bird feeders and furniture."
"About 22,000 square feet of the Rancho Cucamonga store will be dedicated to a boat showroom"
"10,000-square-foot restaurant will be incorporated into the design"
NOW THAT IS A STORE RIGHT THERE!
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Got some pictures of the Bass Pro Shop under construction Thursday!
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j1/funkygorilla_pics/bassproshop-3.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j1/funkygorilla_pics/bassproshop-2.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j1/funkygorilla_pics/bassproshop.jpg)
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I also found a site (now I can't find it :() that said the size is 180,000sqft. That's just shy of 4 1/4 acres.
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I just pulled this off of Brenda's site:
July 18-19 - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Brenda will be helping celebrate the opening of the first Bass Pro store to open in California. She'll be one of many for the gala event in Rancho Cucamonga.
Maybe the dates have been pushed back a bit?
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This article ran in the Sun the other day:
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.
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I sure hope the REI in Rancho makes it. Although REI is moving (it's official policy, not a rumor) away from serious hiking, moutaineering, etc, and now targeting the "casual" hiker/camper/outdoorsman, they still have some good stuff available. At least they haven't descended to the level of Sport Chalet which believe it or not at one time had a pretty decent mountain shop with knowledgable employees.
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BASS PRO OPENS TODAY!!!!
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Hey Ken, do they sell your brand Speedos? You know, the kind where $20 bills can be easily tucked in the pockets! :o :o
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BASS PRO OPENS TODAY!!!!
WHERE ?
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Off the 15 freeway in Rancho Cucamonga (on right)
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WWMtnGal did you know they have a fudge-making room?
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WWMtnGal did you know they have a fudge-making room?
Ha ha!!! Your too funny!
Richard and Kristal are going to a grand opening party they are having (for contractors only) on the 29th, they got their tickets yesterday.
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;)Wow, this sounds great. I've been thinking for a long time about learning to play the bass-you know, only four strings compared to six on a guitar. I think I'll run right down to the Bass Pro shop and check it out. Do you think they are affiliated with Guitar Center? :-\
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This article ran in the Sun the other day:
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.
The Pacific Electric Trail?!? I guess those shoes must be electrically insulated!