Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World to bring hundreds of jobs to Manteca

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jul 18, 2008 | by Jennifer Gokhman

MANTECA -- Anyone driving down Highway 120 in Manteca has seen the construction of the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. At 175,000 square feet, it's hard to miss.

The outdoor retailer is nearing completion of its second California store -- the other is in Rancho Cucamonga -- and plans to open it Oct. 15.

Bass Pro will hold a job fair from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at the Boys and Girls Club of Manteca/Lathrop, 545 W. Alameda St., Manteca. Between 250 and 300 full- and part-time positions will be available.

The store will be an anchor to The Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley, a 72-acre "lifestyle'' center. Other stores that have signed leases there are JC Penney, Best Buy and Dick's Sporting Goods.

"The combination of the two (Dick's Sporting Goods and Bass Pro) is going to be an extreme powerhouse," said Mark Nelson, community development director for the city of Manteca.

The store will include features such as a 20,000-gallon freshwater aquarium, a 25-yard live-fire archery range, a laser arcade, a rock climbing wall, a fly fishing shop and a general store with a deli sandwich shop, according to the Bass Pro Web site. Bass Pro decided to come to Manteca after completing a market analysis of the area, Nelson said. Manteca was chosen for its freeway access, population growth and proximity to recreational activities, among other reasons, he said.

"We were fortunate to have enough acreage," Nelson said.

Applications will be accepted for full-time and part-time positions in many departments, including fishing, hunting/archery, camping, footwear, apparel/gifts, marine accessories, boat sales, inventory control, customer service, loss prevention, parts sales and the cash office. Cashiers, greeters, stockers, marine technicians, boat riggers, boat detailers and boat sales consultants are also needed. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

For more information, visit www.basspro.com/job.

Reach Jennifer Gokhman at 209-832-6144 or jgokhman@bayareanewsgroup.com.