Manteca reels in big retail fish: Bass Pro

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Oct 10, 2008 | by David Morrill

MANTECA

From the moment Debby Moorhead first worked at Manteca's Chamber of Commerce, she received a call about a store to open in the city called Bass Pro Shops.

That was five years ago.

"And my phone has been ringing about it every day since," she said.

On Wednesday, the one-time rumor becomes reality when Bass Pro Shops opens its doors at 6 p.m. in conjunction with its "Evening for Conservation Event."

The store is the anchor to the Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley, at the southeast corner of Highway 120 and South Union Road, just east of Interstate 5.

"Those who use these freeways might want to find alternate routes next week because the freeways might be clogged up," said Larry Leidelmeyer, who is responsible for the stores promotions.

After its well-known Manteca Waterslides at Oakwood Lake shut down four years ago, Manteca has been looking for a way to pull in out-of-towners.

Its Big League Dreams, a softball complex that features replicas of famous Major League parks, has been popular, but Bass Pro Shops goes to a level "beyond anything we've had before," said Karen McLaughlin, assistant city manager of Manteca.

"This is a real boom for the city," she said. "Just driving by it, grandiose is really the only word I can use to describe it."

The site will help the economics of the city as well with 289 employees hires so far.

"It's not only important to Manteca from a sales tax aspect, but it will help the whole region as well," McLaughlin said. "Everybody is excited for it to open."

For Manteca, Bass Pro Shops is so significant that the city allude to it in the first word of its new city slogan, "Hook, wine, and sneakers."

"It's so befitting that they chose Manteca to put this shop here because our Delta and bass fishing options are just awesome," Moorhead said. "Hunting and fishing is such a big deal here."

For those in the know, the word "store" is attached loosely to a Bass Pro Shops that emphasizes outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting and camping.

A destination center is a better fit.

"I've heard it characterized as a theme park for outdoor enthusiasts," said Larry Whitely, a spokesman for Missouri-based Bass Pro Shops.

Bill Schuette, a member of the Richmond Hunting Club believes Bass Pro Shops will be a big hit in the area. He's bought a lot from its catalog, and says being able to go to the store itself will be fun.

"I hunt for everything, so this is a big deal for Bass Pro to open up," said Schuette, a Fairfield resident. "Everybody is going to be going out there.

"We'll have to get someone to bring a truck so they can haul everything back," he added.

Besides its size, the attraction of a Bass Pro Shop is that each store is built, stocked, and designed completely different form the other.

The Manteca store, the company's second in the state Rancho Cucamonga, is a tribute to Yosemite National Park and California's Central Valley. Besides 3,500 area artifacts, there are hand- painted murals lining the top of the store that include Muir Woods, the Sierra Nevada Mountain range and Emerald Bay.

Its 20,000 gallon fresh water aquarium will feature native species of fish to the local area. Placards along the outside will help parents educate children about what they see.

Over the aquarium is a replica of Yosemite's Half Dome, and people can walk under a waterfall that cascades into the tank below.

One of the more popular features is expected to be the reel bar that features more than 1,000 rods that people can test out in the shop, Leidelmeyer said.

For those with a sweet tooth, there's a fudge and ice cream department as well.

Whitely says that on average people drive 150 miles to get to the stores. And once their, they stay for hours not minutes. Because of each one's uniqueness, it's common for people to visit multiple destinations.

"I love to watch people when they walk into the front of our store," Whitely said. "Their mouths fall open because it's that breath taking."

In addition to the retail aspect of the store, the location will feature numerous free workshops throughout each week such as CPR, lure tying and hunter-safety class. Leidelmeyer also hopes to offer courses where Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts merit badge requirements can be fulfilled.

The store will have its official ribbon cutting ceremony at 6 p.m. Wednesday followed by an "Evening for Conservation." During that time, there will be several hunting and fishing celebrities giving out tips.

To celebrate "Black Friday," the shopping bonanza day after Thanksgiving, Leidelmeyer plans to have a parking lot sleepover complete with s'mores in the evening, pancakes in the morning, and movies projected on the side of the building.

"I'm really excited to get this open and show people what we have to offer," Leidelmeyer said. "It's going to be a lot of fun Wednesday."

Staff writer David Morrill can be reached at 925-977-8534 or dmorrill@bayareanewsgroup.com.

Store info-- Name: Bass Pro Shops-- Phone: 209-825-8400-- Web site: www.basspro.com-- Address: 1356 Bass Pro Drive, between Union and Main Avenue just south of Interstate 120-- Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.