When the doors of the Bass Pro Shops Atlantic City Outpost swing open on April 15, visitors will be amazed at how artisans have captured the beauty and outdoor opportunities found in south Jersey. Like all Bass Pro Shops, the Atlantic City Outpost features a customized design that salutes the natural beauty of the region and rich traditions of fishing, boating, camping, hunting and hiking. Plus, it’s stocked with gear that’s specific to the area. This must-see destination store is the company’s first in New Jersey and will feature 85,451 square feet of outdoor gear, apparel, footwear and nature-themed gifts.
The Bass Pro Shops Outpost store is located at 30 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, and is part of the Cordish Company’s Phase IV development of The Walk in Atlantic City. The store is scheduled to open Wednesday, April 15, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony that begins at 6 p.m.
Decorating With Nature in Mind
Bass Pro Shops uniquely designed, award-winning stores are often considered to be part museum, art gallery, antique store, aquarium, and centers for conservation education and fun. Décor includes hand-painted murals that wrap the store’s interior and depict familiar scenes of the region. One gets the sense of traveling through south Jersey’s landscape as the murals transport the viewer through a series of panoramic vistas—all beautifully replicated with the stroke of an artist’s brush. Through the use of special lighting techniques, the murals take on a living, breathing quality.
The lobby is designed to resemble an old boat yard warehouse and blacksmith’s shop. It features several vintage boats, nautical antiques, photographs, and fish mounts.
The aquarium has a two-story waterfall and is surrounded by various wildlife mounts and exhibits including black bear, white-tailed deer, and bobcats. The mural behind the aquarium is of the Delaware Water Gap and Mount Tammany depicted in fall colors.
Each department in the store features an outdoor theme created by murals and dioramas including:
• The fishing department mural represents the Mullica River from its freshwater beginnings as it flows out to sea through Great Bay and to the Atlantic Ocean.
• Since the area is a major part of the Atlantic Flyway for migratory birds, a variety of waterfowl, wading birds, and birds of prey will be depicted in murals and 3D exhibits.
• The archery department will have a rustic feel with a variety of North American game shoulder mounts, vintage archery equipment and old photographs.
• A mural in the hunting department portrays the New Jersey coastal areas and the Pine Barrens.
• The gift department will feature a large coastal mural that reflects life along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. A ‘split-view’ allows the viewer to see above and below the water line. Saltwater fish mounts such as tuna, marlin, stripers, porbeagle sharks, among others, will be suspended in front of the mural creating a 3D effect.
Vintage photos and gear complete the scene and highlight the area’s original sportsmen and women. Plus, 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.
Wildlife Exhibits Showcase New Jersey Species
The 13,000-gallon freshwater aquarium is a focal point of the store and will be stocked with approximately 100 fish native to the area such as largemouth and smallmouth bass, black/white crappie, bowfin, walleye, northern pike, brook trout, rainbow trout, and miscellaneous sunfish.
Displays throughout the store also include museum-quality mounts of wildlife native to New Jersey such as black bear, white-tailed deer, bobcats, fisher cats, and other small game animals.
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. The Bass Pro Shops Outpost store will offer customers an amazing assortment of high-quality apparel and gear featuring top industry brands such as RedHead, Ascend, Oculus, Columbia, Browning, Offshore Angler, Penn, Under 
Armour, and hundreds more.
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 assisting 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 their 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.
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 with selections from Tracker, Nitro, Tahoe, Sun Tracker, Mako, Ascend and more.
In addition to offering name brand gear and apparel, Bass Pro Shops Outpost is the go-to place to learn how to enjoy the outdoors. The store has hired more than 225 associates from the Atlantic City area who are knowledgeable about the outdoors. The store will offer free outdoor skills workshops throughout the year for adults, kids and families that will help maximize outdoor fun by teaching new skills and improving existing ones.
Learn About Bass Pro Shops Dedication to Conservation
Since the beginning, Bass Pro Shops Founder Johnny Morris has been dedicated to inspiring people, especially youth and families, to love, enjoy and conserve the great outdoors. That commitment, demonstrated over the course of several decades, is a big reason why Bass Pro Shops is known as the outdoor industry’s corporate conservation leader.
Visitors will see that dedication reflected in the Conservation Partner Wall, which is located near the checkouts at the Atlantic City Bass Pro Shops Outpost. The logos of the many national conservation groups that Bass Pro Shops partners with are all displayed there.
For more information regarding the store visit Bass Pro Shops Atlantic City Outpost.
For general video about Bass Pro Shops visit http://youtu.be/Nib4BEQl2-k
Photo captions and credits:
Image #1 – Admiring the day’s catch. ( Photo courtesy of New Jersey Department of State Archives.)
Image #2 – A fly fishing expert continues the art of hand-tying flies on site in the White River Fly Shop in Bass Pro Shops. (Photo courtesy of Bass Pro Shops.)
About Bass Pro Shops®
Bass Pro Shops®, which specializes in outdoor fun, operates 90 retail stores and Tracker Marine Centers across America and Canada that are visited by more than 116 million people every year. Bass Pro Shops stores, many of which feature restaurants, offer hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor gear while their catalogs and website serve shoppers throughout the world. The company’s Tracker Marine Group® (http://www.trackermarine.com), which has produced the number one selling brand of fishing boats for more than 35 years, manufactures and sells a variety of boats for fishing and cruising. Family fun is on tap at Bass Pro Shops resort Big Cedar Lodge® (http://www.bigcedar.com), voted number six by Travel + Leisure Magazine as World’s Best Hotels for Families. For more information, 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.