Thousands gathered at Celebration Pointe Wednesday evening for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Bass Pro Shops, an anchor store in the Celebration Pointe development. Around 3,000 watched as NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, arriving in his No. 14 stock car, cut the ceremonial red ribbon using a pocketknife proffered by a boy in the crowd. Cars arrived across the new Celebration Pointe Avenue bridge, and people filtered into the rustic store throughout the evening.
The first of its kind in Gainesville, Bass Pro Shops is a popular outdoor outfitter that combines traditional shopping with a woodsy, wilderness experience. Animal heads are mounted on walls throughout the store, and a 12,000-gallon freshwater aquarium sits near the back of the store. As the Gainesville area is a popular destination for many outdoor activities, Bass Pro Shops’ many hunting, fishing, camping, boating, and hiking offerings represent a perfect fit for the town.
In addition to excitement, the grand opening event generated funds for the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, the Everglades Foundation, and the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium by earmarking half of every dollar spent to go to these organizations.
The store also brought jobs to the area; 200 at its opening and around 160 once things settle down. As the average Bass Pro Shops customer drives an average of 50 miles to a store, it’s an important flagship for Celebration Pointe, bringing in customers to Gainesville from all around the town.
About Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops was founded in 1972 by avid young angler Johnny Morris on eight-square-feet of space in the back of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri. Today, the leading national retailer of outdoor gear and apparel has more than 100 retail and marine center locations across North America.
About Celebration Pointe
Celebration Pointe is North Central Florida’s premier destination to live, shop, work, and play. Totaling over 1 million square feet, the project is comprised of dining and entertainment, outlet shopping, executive office space, and multiple luxury residential offerings. Discover for yourself why Celebration Pointe is the next generation of urban development in Gainesville.
Stay in the loop about the latest and greatest at Celebration Pointe when you sign up to be a CP Insider. From grand opening celebrations and exclusive promotions to exciting announcements and festive events, CP Insiders are the first to know!
