Bass Pro Shops has reached agreement to be a part of The Cordish Companies Phase IV development of The Walk in Atlantic City.

The new Bass Pro Shops outdoor super store will be located directly on Atlantic Avenue at the entrance to Atlantic City and over 33 million visitors a year.

“Bass Pro Shops is one of the great retailers in the world and will be a game changer for Atlantic City,” said developer Blake Cordish of The Cordish Company. He added, “Bass Pro Shops is a mega tourist destination that will draw visitors from throughout the Northeast region and enhance Atlantic City’s appeal as a major shopping and entertainment destination.“

“We are very grateful for the opportunity to once again partner with Blake Cordish and the Cordish Company, this time to bring Bass Pro Shops to Atlantic City and be a part of one of the most dynamic, leading edge retail developments in America,” stated Johnny Morris, Founder of Bass Pro Shops. “After touring the site, it was apparent that we were being offered the most high profile location in the Atlantic City market. The vast majority of all 33 million visitors to the city will pass directly by our new store. We are honored to join all of the other leading brand retailers that Blake Cordish has put together and it is even more exciting that almost all of them have introduced new cutting edge concept stores”, Morris continued.

“We are also very grateful to the CRDA Board for their support,” Morris added. “I think our company will be an excellent fit with their vision of attracting even more visitors to Atlantic City.”

“This will be a home run for Bass Pro Shops and for Atlantic City,” remarked John Palmieri, CRDA Executive Director. “Governor Christie created the Tourism District to be able to attract world-class amenities, activities and investment in Atlantic City. And, through our continued successful private public partnership with The Cordish Company, we are getting it all in the world’s number 1 outdoor retailer, Bass Pro Shops.”

“Atlantic City is one of the great gamefish areas along the East Coast,” continued Morris. “We are excited to showcase our Off Shore Angler brand of saltwater gear and Mako saltwater boats to compliment our entire selection of great products to better serve customers and outdoor enthusiasts that visit and live in this part of the country.”

Groundbreaking of the 70,000 square foot plus store is planned for the spring of 2013 and the store is scheduled to open late 2013 or spring of 2014.

Nationally, Bass Pro Shops will host over 113 million people visiting their 58 stores across America and Canada this year; the average customer stays 2 ½ hours and drives an average distance of 50+ miles. Bass Pro Shops was recently named by Advertising Age magazine as one of the Top 10 Hottest Brands in America along with name brands such as Old Spice, M&M’s, iPad and Droid. Also, Bass Pro Shops has been recognized numerous times for their conservation and outdoor education efforts, as well as being recognized by J.D. Powers & Associates for their customer service excellence.

Bass Pro Shops’ unique, award-winning, mega-sized outdoor stores are known for combining retail with entertainment, conservation and outdoor education.

More than just a fishing and hunting store, the Bass Pro Shops store will also offer equipment and clothing for hiking, backpacking, wildlife viewing, camping, outdoor cooking and more. A gift and nature center will also serve up a wide variety of outdoor-related items from lamps and dishes to bird feeders and furniture.

The expansive boat showroom will feature Tracker, Nitro, SunTracker, Tahoe, Grizzly and Mako boats built by Tracker Marine Group, the world’s largest manufacturer of fishing boats.

Bass Pro Shops’ unique exterior and interior motifs have branded them as visually appealing, high quality outdoor stores. The outdoors feel is brought indoors through massive log and rock work, large indoor aquariums and water features stocked with native fish species as well as an extensive collection of museum quality fish and wildlife mounts. Historic photos and exhibits will pay tribute to the regions great outdoor heritage.

The Cordish Companies’ origins date back to 1910 and encompass four generations of privately-held, family ownership. During the past ten decades, the company has grown into a global conglomerate of businesses defined by two major areas of expertise: one of the leading real estate development companies and most successful operators of entertainment districts and casinos in the world.

Bass Pro Shops operates 58 retail stores in 26 states and Canada visited by over 112 million people annually.