Bass Pro Shops laid off members of its new store design staff in its headquarters in Springfield, Mo. over the weekend, a spokesman for the company told The Augusta Chronicle.

“With the economy right now, we just aren't building any new stores” in 2010, said Larry Whiteley, Bass Pro Shops' communications manager.

Whiteley said the proposed Augusta Bass Pro Shops store is still “being finalized” as to when it will open. Whiteley said the outdoor retail company hasn't called off the store, to his knowledge.