TALLAHASSEE, Fl-Few states have the commitment and passion to conservation as that of the Sunshine State-Florida. Floridians know that the unique beauty of their state’s lakes, rivers, springs and beaches–the state’s draw for millions of visitors–as well as their drinking water and quality of life is dependent on proper management and conservation of their natural resources.
The new 70,000-square foot Bass Pro Shops Outpost located at 4059 Lagniappe Way in the Fallschase Development is a tribute to Florida’s conservation leadership. The store’s imagery, murals, and displays tell the story of the state’s various conservation milestones achieved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission throughout its history for setting national benchmarks for managing diverse habitats and wildlife while benefitting people. The store is scheduled to open in early September.
Bass Pro Shops – Store, Museum, Art Gallery, Entertainment and More
Bass Pro Shops’ uniquely designed stores are innovative and award-winning and are often considered to be part museum, art gallery, antique store and aquarium, and centers for conservation education and fun. They also offer the area’s largest selection of quality outdoor gear as well as a staff of dedicated professionals who promote the outdoor lifestyle and live it as well. In fact, Bass Pro Shops has been voted best in delivering service excellence two years in a row by J.D. Power and Associates.
Using many area artifacts, antiques, period pictures, state and record wildlife mounts and memorabilia, the store becomes a living museum of Florida’s hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor legacies.
Learn About Florida’s Conservation Legacy
Entering the store, visitors are introduced to the conservation theme that runs throughout the store. These conservation messages and mementos are displayed as well as fishing and hunting artifacts and a primitive dugout canoe. A wall map of Florida salutes the efforts of the Tallahassee-based Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission while another element celebrates the Florida Forever Program.
Another display acknowledges Theodore Roosevelt and his Florida Initiatives such as Pelican Island. Established by Roosevelt in 1903, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge was designed to protect brown pelicans and other native birds and marked the first time the federal government set aside land for the sake of wildlife conservation.
The Conservation Partner Wall, which is located near the checkouts, displays logos of other national conservation groups that Bass Pro Shops partners with. A company hallmark, Bass Pro Shops’ dedication to conservation is apparent through their support of many groups and organizations conservation and outdoor education efforts.
“The people of our company believe very strongly that the future of our industry, the sports we serve, and the sports we personally enjoy are absolutely more dependent upon how we manage our natural resources than anything else,” said Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. “It is far more important than any catalog we mail, any new store we open, or any new product our vendor creates.”
Focus on Fisheries Management
A Florida conservation initiative featured in the freshwater section of the store–the TrophyCatch angler recognition program–is the hallmark of the long-term Florida Black Bass Management Plan. Sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, TrophyCatch promotes ecological, social and economic values important to everyone who supports conservations and ensures Florida remains the “Bass Fishing Capital of the World.”
Other conservation highlights include messages regarding the plight, recovery and current status of the Florida Panther, American Alligator, Osceola Turkey Bobwhite Quail and issues of invasive species, while the Marine Resources and Coastal Conservation is featured in the fishing and marine departments.
Decorating with Nature in Mind
Hand-painted murals wrap the store’s interior and depict familiar scenes of the region. One gets the sense of traveling through the Florida landscape as the murals transport the viewer through a series of panoramic vistas-all beautifully replicated with the stroke of an artist’s brush and, through the use of a special lighting techniques, the murals take on a living, breathing quality.
- A freshwater habitat filled with sawgrass and swamp lily, cypress knees, and alligators
- Tall stands of palms and scrubby palmettos, deer and Florida Panther
- Mangroves and turtle grass, loggerhead turtles and white heron that comprise the inlets and bays of the saltwater world
The murals are unique in the fact that what starts out many times as a simple painting extends into an actual fish or wildlife mount or some other property creating an exceptional 3D effect.
Giant, exquisitely crafted outdoor themed chandeliers, made by Bass Pro Shops’ own artisans, hang throughout the store. Deer are featured amongst a grove of pine and cypress on top of a 13,000 gallon fresh water aquarium. Nearby, an alligator appears to be on the verge of slipping into the water. The aquarium will be stocked with more than 150 fish native to the area including bass, bream, redfish, striped bass, gar and snook.
Wildlife Exhibits Showcase Florida Species
Museum quality wildlife exhibits and dioramas are seen throughout the store. At any moment visitors could expect to come upon a confrontation between a black bear and alligator, wild hogs and a rattlesnake, or even raccoons ravaging a stand of old rural mailboxes. In other areas, visitors can see exhibits featuring a stand of Osceola turkeys, Florida panther and American alligators.
Bass Pro Shops’ dedication to detail is evident wherever visitors look as artisans work to create a visual style unique to that store, including handcrafted ornate metal fire screen doors, iron railings, sconces and more.
The Merchandise Matches Local Shoppers Needs
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 and saltwater rods, reels and fishing accessories to choose from–all specially selected for the area.
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.
In the hunting department, customers will find an equally impressive array of hunting clothing and gear while the archery department offers a bow set-up shop.
More than a hunting and fishing store, visitors also will find items perfect for camping, hiking, outdoor cooking, bird watching or whatever your outdoor pleasures may be. A gift and nature center offers a variety of items such as:
- Artwork
- Lamps
- Bird feeders
- Furniture
- Home decorating items
- Gifts for the holidays
- Cooking accessories such as cookbooks, spices, grills and jerky making items.
A wide selection of men’s and women’s footwear and apparel, featuring popular brands including Columbia, North Face, Woolrich, Bob Timberlake, World Wide Sportsman and RedHead, are also available.
The 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 boats, 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, Mako and more. An on-site, state-of-the-art boat service center with two service bays also will be available for customers’ convenience for boat rigging as well as a full time master service technician.
Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World has hired associates from the Tallahassee area that have a passion for the outdoors so customers can depend on local experts to help answer their questions. 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.
A special “Evening for Conservation” to help benefit area conservation groups will take place the night before the official grand opening. This exciting, celebrity-packed event is free and open to the public. Information regarding this event will be available soon.
Media Contact: Katie Mitchell, Communications Manager, 417-873-5618 kamitchell@basspro.com
About Bass Pro Shops®:
Bass Pro Shops® operates 77 retail stores in 26 states and Canada visited by over 120 million people annually. Bass Pro Shops® also conducts an international catalog and internet retailing operation-the American Rod & Gun® wholesale division–which sells to more than 7,000 independently owned retail stores worldwide. Outdoor World® Incentives also sells Bass Pro Shops® gift cards through over 132,000 retail outlets across America. The Bass Pro Shops® restaurant division has 28 locations. The company’s Tracker Marine Group® (http://www.trackerboats.com) manufactures and sells Tracker®, Nitro®, SunTracker®, Tahoe®, Grizzly® and Mako® boats through Bass Pro Shops® retail stores and over 400 dealers worldwide. The Resort Group (http://www.bigcedar.com) includes Big Cedar Lodge® and other resort properties including restaurants and golf courses. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops® store locations, products or special events, please visit http://www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bassproshops.