CRDA Investment Series - Bass Pro Shops | CRDA | Casino Reinvestment Development Authority

Contact: David Zuba, Publicist, Media Relations/Communications

CRDA INVESTMENT IN ATLANTIC CITY SERIES, part one:

BASS PRO SHOPS IN ATLANTIC CITY –

A POPULAR DESTINATION WITHIN A DESTINATION

Outdoorsman super store set to open in Atlantic City on April 15th

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – (Wednesday, February 25, 2015) – The New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) is committed to building a better future for the City of Atlantic City, the Atlantic City Tourism District, and our surrounding region through strategic initiatives that are geared to reposition the city as a clean, safe, multi-faceted, year-round destination and community.

Since the adoption of the Tourism District legislation on February 1, 2011, the CRDA has attracted more than $700 million worth of capital investment to the city with more than $250 million in investment currently in progress.

Atlantic City, with more than 15,000 hotel rooms, 800,000 square feet of conference space and 500,000 square feet of available Convention Center exhibit space, annually attracts more than 25 million visitors to its shores every year for both business and pleasure. The city’s eight casino hotel properties generated nearly $2.5 billion in gaming revenue in 2014, while the city also boasts nearly $1 billion in annual non-gaming revenues.

Throughout this series, we will profile many of the projects that are breathing new life into Atlantic City through new entertainment, shopping and dining options that provide added jobs for local residents and revenue-producing tax ratables for the city, as well as new, modern housing units.

Situated strategically at the foot of the Atlantic City Expressway in the corridor region of the city where thousands of motorists and pedestrians pass by on a daily basis, Bass Pro Shops, recognized throughout the country as an outdoor retail leader in fishing, hunting, camping, nature gifts and much more, is currently putting the finishing touches on its new 86,000-square-foot outdoorsman super store.

Located in the heart of downtown, Bass Pro Shops’ Atlantic City store will be the first of its kind in the state of New Jersey.

“Bass Pro Shops brings to Atlantic City a tremendous and dedicated following, a popular destination within a destination,” said CRDA Executive Director John Palmieri. “Bass Pro Shops’ leadership has shown its commitment and enthusiasm towards Atlantic City’s future with this project.”

Originally granted preliminary and final site plan approval by the CRDA on September 16, 2013, Bass Pro’s official ground breaking ceremony took place on October 1, 2013 and included dignitaries such as State of New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, Bass Pro Shops General Manager Aaron Frazier, and Cordish Company President of Development Blake Cordish. The CRDA contributed a $12.3 million construction loan plus as much as $11 million over 11 years as part of a sales tax rebate program.

Upon entering the store, visitors will immediately be welcomed by an impressive 13,000-gallon aquarium stocked full with local indigenous sea life. Boating enthusiasts will love the store’s large boat showroom directly to their right as they walk through the front door and also will be able to browse a huge selection of boats once Bass Pro’s outdoor boat yard is completed just down the street on the corner of Mississippi and Fairmount avenues.

Bounded by Mississippi, Missouri, Atlantic and Arctic avenues, Bass Pro Shops is scheduled to open on Wednesday, April 15^th with a soft opening from 6-10 pm. Fifty-percent of that evening’s revenue will be donated to various outdoor-centric charities. The official grand opening will take place the following day on Thursday, April 16^th from 8 am – 9 pm. Normal business hours will run 9 am – 9 pm daily and 10 am – 7 pm Sundays.

Outdoor enthusiasts will be impressed by the store’s sheer magnitude of selections, including men’s and ladies apparel, camping and hunting gear and clothing, footwear, t-shirts, sunglasses, gifts, and much more. Local, seaside motifs and hand-painted murals depict the region’s various natural scenic locales throughout the store.

Bass Pro Shops will offer holiday-themed events for the local community during Easter, Halloween and Christmas, including a Santa’s Wonderland. Fishing and hunting classics will be popular annual events along with fire arm classes in the store’s secure pistol range.

The store will employ 225 employees, 40% of which will be full-time, and also will be a dog-friendly store with shoppers encouraged to bring along their furry companions while shopping.

“This project is another example of the business sector showing faith and confidence in Atlantic City’s present and future,” said Palmieri. “The CRDA is committed to reinvesting in our community and neighborhoods.”

Parking on-site at Bass Pro will be offer 245 spaces. Anyone spending a minimum of $50 or more inside Bass Pro will be able to park for free while all others will be charged a flat fee of $3. Parking fees may fluctuate throughout the year at the lot. Meanwhile, a free valet service will be provided when the lot is full. Self parking is also available at the CRDA’s Wave Garage at Mississippi and Fairmount Avenues.

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About the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) www.njcrda.com

The only agency of its kind nationwide, the CRDA has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents, investing nearly $2 billion in more than 400 projects statewide since 1984. Under the 2011 Tourism District Act, CRDA’s mission evolved from statewide projects to becoming the state’s key economic development agency for Atlantic City. CRDA responsibilities expanded to include land use regulation, clean and safe initiatives, tourism marketing, ownership and oversight of the Atlantic CityConvention Center and Boardwalk Hall, and partnership with the Atlantic City Alliance to brand and market Atlantic City. The former ACCVA, now a division of CRDA, is the first destination marketing organization in New Jersey to achieve prestigious Destination Marketing Accreditation by the Destination Marketing Association International.

For destination photos and videos media may visit www.doatlanticcity.com/mediaonline where dozens of assets are available for download. For complete Atlantic City tourism information, visit www.doatlanticcity.com. Also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AtlanticCityNJ and Twitter at #visitac.