Bass Pro and Beyond: Hope for civic transformation with Big Three city projects (Memphis: credit, loan)
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I've shopped at Bass Pro and gotten good deals there. No way to beat their prices on certain items. And I'm glad to see a tenant in that building.
Anyway, I read the link but didn't see any mention of plans for the existing store out east. Does anyone know what the deal is? The existing store was real convenient and heavily used by East Memphians.
Btw, PhillyIndy, you're not the first who's thought about what a huge neon bass on top would look like.
I am REAL confident that's not going to happen; but you have to admit it would be funny..
Is this a different demographic than, say, REI? I'd love to see a downtown rock-climbing wall, and think that those two can complement each other nicely to promote outdoor activity and lifestyle.
I am disappointed because I think there are greater opportunities for the facility, even for BPS, to pursue, but I am cautiously hopeful at the same time.
Kabluey, I guess some of us have been taking the store's main purposes for granted in this discussion. The demographic is consumptive use of the outdoors - hunting and fishing and related products. The term "BPS" as found at Bass Pro would probably mean Browning Pump Shotgun..
The rock-climbing wall however is a sound idea, and I have no doubts they've already thought about it. If not, it could be dropped into the suggestion box.
In any event, they really need to leave open at the least a smaller East Memphis store. I don't want to belabor this post, but many of us simply aren't going downtown to the Pyramid to buy shotgun shells for going on hunts out EAST of Memphis. And I don't think many will want to detour off the Interstate when headed across the bridge to duck hunt in Arkansas. There are certain practical considerations along these lines for those who are directly involved in all this.
If I wanted to be cynical about it, I'd say it's only coming about because money belonging to federal and state taxpayers has been generously handed out.
I wonder why the indoor theme park idea wasn't given more consideration. As I understood it, the group proposing it had the $$$$ available - and it certainly would have appealed to a wider demographic and possibly be more of a tourist destination.
it was my understanding that ramp rework, re-routing, etc. was/will be completed, as a means to allow easy access to the pinch district. as this would involve federal, state, and local agencies, i am surprised that the work hasn't begun. announcements for the work has been out for over a year. i will search and share w/ you all. it has been a little surprising that traffic into and out of the area (business, medical center, and heavy residential) have not been well documented. potentially, 5000 residents on the island, pinch district residential 2800+ residents, st. jude potential employment is 10,000, unknown numbers drawn by pyramid development (high traffic anticipated, according to bass pro officials.) mix in the uptown square area...and, you have a good deal of traffic.
i, too, hate to sound so cynical, but as we say "it is what it is"--- too much federal and state taxpayer money thrown out. as few as two weeks ago, it was published that a hotel would be inside the bass pro facility. as of yesterday, there will be no hotel. again, i wish bass pro and the city the best in this endeavor, nevertheless, i believe we should demand a new citizens "show me" attitude. ginsaw makes a good point regarding the present store in east memphis. i believe that store is certainly a target-based store. the demographic is right, the location is right, and other critical variables fall w/in an acceptable risk for most good business plans. i believe the pyramid shop will attempt a catch for the moving demographic of I-40 and I-55. one of the very points in the cincinnati article that i read cited the over-build of stores, which, according to the article, resulted in over saturation in the areas involved. my guess would be that the east memphis store will remain open, at least for the next two or three years.
Kabluey, I guess some of us have been taking the store's main purposes for granted in this discussion. The demographic is consumptive use of the outdoors - hunting and fishing and related products. The term "BPS" as found at Bass Pro would probably mean Browning Pump Shotgun..
The rock-climbing wall however is a sound idea, and I have no doubts they've already thought about it. If not, it could be dropped into the suggestion box.
In any event, they really need to leave open at the least a smaller East Memphis store. I don't want to belabor this post, but many of us simply aren't going downtown to the Pyramid to buy shotgun shells for going on hunts out EAST of Memphis. And I don't think many will want to detour off the Interstate when headed across the bridge to duck hunt in Arkansas. There are certain practical considerations along these lines for those who are directly involved in all this.
If I wanted to be cynical about it, I'd say it's only coming about because money belonging to federal and state taxpayers has been generously handed out.
I understand the preconceived notion about BPS, and, honestly, don't doubt it. Which is why I brought up REI. If they don't directly compete (I haven't seen a gun in REI, and it doesn't seem like BPS sells climbing and biking gear), why not do some formal or informal collaboration. Maybe Poag and McEwen can lure that. Or at least the wall can be incorporated as part of the skateboard park idea for Mud Island. I don't think BPS will want the liability for a climbing wall; they would likely outsource it if anything. Let a gym handle the risk of injury.
Whatever the strategy, BPS is not "the" comprehensive outdoor lifestyle store. I don't even think they've maximized the hunting and fishing opportunities in America and internationally. I see opportunities to make Memphis a singular destination in America, if not the world, as long as we leverage the facility, the neighborhood, and our logistic advantages. I worry BPS will take a much narrower view, to minimize expense and investment and maximize profit. I understand that, but am disappointed that our leaders would settle for that if true.
We are building a greenline. We are seeking to improve the walkability of many of our neighborhoods. We are making Libertyland greener and renovating Shelby Farms. Mud Island is a target for renovation with a skateboard project. I can't be the only one that sees an opportunity to build on these stones to make a large rippling effect. To weave these things together, however tangentially? From downtown to Shelby Farms, Memphis is trying to get healthier and increase its relationship with the outdoors?
Logically connecting different projects together (even if only somewhat related) can create a synergy that starts the change in our lifestyle and the impression of the liveability of our region. And it may not cost much. I'm not talking literally connecting them together.
I wonder why the indoor theme park idea wasn't given more consideration. As I understood it, the group proposing it had the $$$$ available - and it certainly would have appealed to a wider demographic and possibly be more of a tourist destination.
Urban theme parks that don't have room to grow are doomed to fail. The Ericson group didn't want to owe up to that, which some cities have learned the hard way, like Louisville most recently. Also, The Ericson group said they had the money (probably just a bluff as they were shopping the idea to investors), but no one ever saw it.
Oh, you could probably find someone who'd listen...but seriously, I think just maybe I've seen a rock climbing wall at one of these large outdoor related stores, but it wasn't in Memphis and I can't remember the name..
Regarding the East Memphis location, if they don't leave it open, what will happen is a lot of folks will switch over to the Wal-Mart on Germantown Pkwy. They compete heavily in this product line and are just as if not more conveniently located for much of this demographic.
For high volume fast movers like shotgun shells, the name of the game of course is price. That's the draw. But at some point convenience does enter into it.
Some things won't be affected however, like out of area catalog or internet sales. Location doesn't matter for that.
Personally, I think it would have been great for the city if they had decided to also make the Pyramid the national corporate headquarters. We already have DU's headquarters at the agri-center. They moved here some years ago from the Chicago area.
Anyway, in the event most think the hunting and fishing demographic is mainly about relatively low price high quantity product sales, here's an eye opener from a big-time competitor of Bass Pro. It's Cabelas - take a look at the prices - Cabela's -- Search Simple Product. Interesting, no? If you ever get a chance while on a trip, stop in and see one of their stores..quite impressive and they have some fascinating displays.
I've been to Cabella's in Sidney, and Sidney is a piece of crap town, only Ft Collins might be decent to visit, but at least Cabella's is a snap to get to , they gave it some thought for sure, but Bass Pro is no where NEAR the quality of Cabella's
No one is gong to drive from Eads, Arlington, Germantown, Collierville, Fisherville, Bartlett, Moscow lol to buy BS , everyday hunting and fishing supplies, like cheap shotgun/skeet shells or fishing line, to a dumb Bass Shop all the way down on the river, if there is anywhere near a meaningful ALTERNATIVE a lot closer, and I think the brilliant merchandisers of a WalMart for example will know that and will compete fiercely for the bread and butter bidness. WalMart will probably decide to kick their butts on basic pirces. What idiot would pass a WalMart that sells high quality basic outdoor lifestyle products (specifically hunting basics) to drive 30 minutes to a more expensive place all the way downtown in ANY CITY ?? That's crazy to think that's going to happen, WM will jump all over these folks !! (esp with corporate being located in Arkansas next doo ?? ) My money is on WM longterm. Bass Pro will lose
i think the idea of an ice skating rink would something that could be feasible and enjoyable to many. i think it would be unique, and i think that it could be a draw to groups, clubs, and individuals. one of the great things about the mall of memphis was the beautiful ice skating rink. as for the skateboard project for mud island, i believe that it was one of the top three wishes of those responding to suggestions for public recreation at mud island. i hope the powers that be will come together and agree to this idea; not just because other cities have them, but because a large number of regional citizens would like for the community to have one. the aquarium idea sounds nice, however i don't know how much of a draw it would be vs. the cost effectiveness of a really top notch facility. i understand that both fresh and salt water aquariums require a good deal of care, a great deal of expensive equipment, and specialist for ichthyology, marine biology, etc. it has been a good deal of time since i visited the zoo, but would an aquarium compete negatively w/ whatever the zoo offers at present? again, i'm not trying to shoot down ideas, but i think most would agree that memphis certainly has a wonderful zoo, and i would want to consider the impact on it and its contributions to the city, county, and the region. from a business standpoint, bass pro has experienced no problems w/ marketing, getting the consumer into their stores, and growth. they have had a problem w/ too much growth in a relatively short period of time. several months ago, mayor wharton stated that mr. hagle and bass pro were slow and deliberate in their due diligence of business (my paraphrasing), however, citizens have been told information about other projects in the past, yet, all too often, they haven't come to fruition.
as an individual who has made some of his livelihood in observing, assessing, and investigating relationships, social situations, and human behavior, i wonder if anyone else noticed, during the official bass pro deal signing, a rather subdued mayor? there was, in my observation, an overall absence of his usual smile. i guess i expected more from the officials, after approximately five years of wrangling.
to conclude, do any know why there are specific exceptions made on items
such as boats, all-terrain vehicles, and related items?
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