Bass Pro Shops has no trouble attracting shoppers

Tampa, Fla. -- The power of Bass Pro Shops’ brand of retail was evident at the company’s newest store opening this week, in Brandon, Florida. The store is the company’s 10th in the Sunshine State and features 130,000 sq. ft. of outdoor gear, apparel, footwear and nature-themed gifts.



Shoppers were undeterred by a massive traffic jam and a lack of parking, which forced some grand opening attendees to walk nearly a mile for a look inside.



Like all Bass Pro Shops, the Tampa Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Tampa Outdoor World features customized design and inventory that salutes the natural beauty of the region and rich traditions of fishing, boating, camping, hunting and hiking. The store is decorated with the local landscape in mind as the murals transport the viewer through a series of panoramic vistas.



The lobby is designed to resemble an old Florida trophy room, and features native fish and wildlife mounts from Florida and species from other areas of North America.



An 11,000-gallon freshwater aquarium is constructed to look like a sinkhole with water pouring into it and is surrounded by various wildlife mounts and exhibits including wild boar, black bear, and white-tailed deer. A mural near the aquarium portrays a scene of white-tailed deer jumping through the Hillsborough River. The aquarium is stocked with approximately 100 fish native to the area such as largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, black crappie, bowfin, longnose gar, Florida gar, bluegill, redear sunfish, warmouth, chain pickerel, and channel catfish.




Each department in the store features an outdoor theme created by murals and dioramas.



In addition, the store features an 8,000-sq.-ft. Islamorada Fish Company restaurant. A 2,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, located inside the restaurant, is home to colorful and exotic Pacific reef fish.