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Last Updated: Apr 24th, 2008 - 05:59:32 |
Bass Pro Shops first Alabama Outdoor World store opens in Prattville
Prattville, Alabama— Webster defines “tradition” as time-honored practices or heritage. With that in mind, it can probably be said no other part of the country has as much respect for tradition as the South. Alabama, the ‘heart of Dixie,’ has emerged as a diverse, rich culture steeped in its traditions. Like, the tradition of long, sleepy summer afternoons spent in a hammock with a glass of chilled lemonade, listening to the cicadas buzzing. Or a crisp, fall-leaf scented afternoon and the roar of a crowd cheering on the Crimson Tide. Or, the first day of hunting as a father takes his son for his inaugural hunt.
Bass Pro Shops understands traditions. They, too, have their own—like offering the biggest selection of the best outdoor products, hiring skilled associates who are experts in the areas they work and offering free outdoor skill workshops to help maximize your outdoor adventures. They respect the time-honored tradition of passing on certain practices—such as learning to conserve and protect our great outdoors for the enjoyment of future generations—so much, in fact, that one of their trademarked slogans reads. “The Great Outdoors…Pass It On.”®
That is why they decided to locate one of their great Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World superstores in Prattville, Alabama. Bass Pro Shops is the signature tenant for the new High Point Town Center--the 150-acre retail, entertainment, hotel, restaurant and residential development planned for the northwest corner of I-65 and Cobbs Ford Road.
Along with offering a huge selection of outdoor gear, however, and unlike most retail stores you have ever seen, Bass Pro Shops stores are also part museum, part art gallery, part antique store, part aquarium, part education, conservation and entertainment center. The Grand Opening is set for Thursday, August 16th but a special “Evening for Conservation” to help benefit area conservation groups will be held on Wednesday night, August 15th beginning at 6 PM. This exciting, celebrity-packed event is free and open to the public.
The entire store is a tribute to Alabama’s wooded forests, rivers and lakes and its people and, like other Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World stores, takes on the flavor and atmosphere of the region in which it is located. Using over 3,500 area (see photo) artifacts, antiques, pictures, mounts and memorabilia the store becomes a living museum of the hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor legacies of southeast Alabama.
Hand painted murals depict scenes that could be taken from the Chattahoochee River, Tallapoosa River, Autauga Creek, the Mobile Delta or even Bullock County during a bird dog field trial. State record wildlife mounts are displayed alongside local historical prints depicting early Alabama residents enjoying sporting adventures.
Two special collections featured in the store include a pictorial and memorial tribute to the late Alabama native, Hank Williams which will also include mementos from his son, Hank Williams, Jr. The other collection prominently displayed is in honor of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society founded by another Alabama native, Ray Scott. Artifacts representative of the first BASS Classic will be featured.
Massive log and rock work frame the Grand Entrance where inside, knotty pine wood timber and chink walls and vaulted post and beam construction ceiling make up the front lobby reminiscent of one of Alabama’s oldest hunting lodges “The Dollar Hide.” A fire crackles in the large stone fireplace authenticating the lodge-like feel complete with overstuffed leather furniture and museum-quality wildlife mounts.
Inside, giant, exquisitely crafted outdoor themed chandeliers, made by Bass Pro Shops own artisans, hang throughout the store. Deer, turkey, pheasant and duck tracks are imprinted in the concrete floor and other wildlife in natural and action settings are set amidst boulders on top of the 25,000 gallon aquarium. A cave structure surrounds the aquarium which will be stocked with more than 200 fish native to the area including large and smallmouth bass, catfish, carp, striped bass, perch and crappie. Twin elevators rise up from the aquarium offering riders a bird’s-eye view of the 3-story waterfall. Other water features include a touch pool and a saltwater aquarium in the store’s restaurant.
Museum quality wildlife exhibits and dioramas are seen throughout the entire store and at any moment visitors could expect to come upon a covey of quail being flushed from (see photo) grasslands or a sentinel of turkeys standing guard in a thicket.
Bass Pro Shops’ dedication to detail is evident wherever you look as their own artisans work with local craftspeople to create a visual style unique to that store such as the handcrafted ornate metal fire screen doors, iron railings, sconces and more.
But the attention to detail doesn’t stop with store design and imagery elements. The same consideration is given to merchandise selection. Visitors will have the area’s largest array of freshwater rods, reels and fishing accessories, all hand-picked and specially selected for the area, to choose from. The White River Fly Shop, featuring antique and collectible fly fishing memorabilia, has a vast selection of the latest in fly fishing gear. Experts will continue the art of hand-tying flies on site and assist customers in making the perfect selection.
The attention to detail continues to be evident in the hunting department where cabinets are adorned with hand-carved animals. World Class record deer mounts grace the walls. (see photo) Customers will find an equally impressive array of hunting clothing and gear. The archery department offers a bow set-up shop and a 25-yard live archery range is perfect for testing that new bow or sharpening necessary archery skills.
More than a hunting and fishing store, visitors will also find items perfect for camping, hiking, outdoor cooking, bird watching or whatever your outdoor pleasures. A gift and nature center offers a variety of items from artwork to lamps, to bird feeders and furniture, home decorating items and gifts for the holidays. Cooking accessories include cookbooks, spices, grills and jerky making items.
Shooters of all ages will enjoy the laser rifle arcade with 50 animated targets. The store also offers a seminar room that will accommodate 100 people for various civic, educational or conservation functions.
The store will also house an over 8,000 square foot Islamorada Fish Company restaurant serving up a wide variety of fresh seafood and steak entrees that are sure to tempt any taste bud. A 13,000 gallon saltwater aquarium, located directly behind the bar, will be home to scores of colorful, exotic fish. The restaurant seats 225 and also offers outdoor dining that overlooks the lake.
A marine and boat center displays a full range of boats from Tracker Marine--the world’s largest manufacturer of fishing boats. From big water boats to small fishing, canoeing and even kayaking, customers will find exactly what they need to have fun on the water with selections from Tracker, Nitro, Tahoe, Sun Tracker, Kenner and more. An on-site, state-of-the-art boat service center with 4 service bays will also be available for customers’ convenience for boat rigging.
Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World has hired associates from the Prattville area that have a passion for the outdoors so customers will be assured of getting local skilled, knowledgeable assistance with questions and selections. The store will also offer free Outdoor Skills Workshops for adults, kids and families that will help maximize outdoor fun by teaching new skills and improving existing ones.
About Bass Pro Shops:
Bass Pro Shops, also a major catalog and internet retailer, is headquartered in Springfield, MO. They currently have 43 other locations across the United States and Canada that attract some 90 million visitors a year. In addition, Bass Pro Shops 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 Bass Pro Shops catalog call 1-800-BASS PRO.
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