Bass Pro Shops first announced in October 2013 it would start construction in 2014 and open in 2015 a 150,000-square-foot location with a restaurant and bowling alley feature found at a “handful” of Bass Pro Shops.
In August 2014, the Springfield, Missouri-based company confirmed it was delaying the opening of the store by a year.
Construction plans submitted to the township last week call for a 120,000-square-foot location, of which 20,000-square-feet are dedicated to an Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill restaurant and bowling alley with 12 lanes, a bar and billiard room.
Plans also show the building to include a 15,620-gallon aquarium tank, an archery range and 171 parking spaces.
Company officials did not respond to multiple requests for comment Tuesday.
The original Cincinnati Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, which opened in November 2000, is located approximately seven miles away at Forest Fair Village.
The new West Chester location will replace the Forest Fair location, which will close, company officials said. Employees there will move to West Chester Twp. when the new store opens.
Bass Pro Shops operates 93 retail stores and Tracker Marine Centers across America and Canada that are visited by more than 120 million people every year, according to the company’s website.
Bass Pro Shops is one part of a planned second phase of The Streets of West Chester.
Also planning to build on the site is Dallas-based Topgolf International, which submitted an application for a permit to the township last week for a 64,232-square-foot Topgolf recreational entertainment facility.
In addition, Dallas-based Main Event Entertainment is pursuing a 49,925-square foot Main Event facility that would include 20 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, billiards, a multi-level laser tag arena, a gravity ropes course and more than 100 interactive and virtual games.
Bass Pro Shops isn’t the only retailer of outdoor gear coming to Butler County. Cabela’s is nearing the end of construction for a 82,000-square-foot location just south of Liberty Way in West Chester Twp., one that was announced to open later this year.
A new 80,000-square-foot “flagship” location of Dick’s Sporting Goods is under construction and scheduled to open in October at mega retail center Liberty Center in Liberty Twp. In addition to sports equipment and apparel, the business sells outdoor gear, including hunting and camping supplies.
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