Bass Pro Shops announced plans for a new store in Decatur, Ala. The Bass Pro Shops retail attraction, which is approximately 100,000-square-feet in size, will be located on the south side of Highway 20 at Interstate 65/565. It will be the primary anchor for the Sweetwater mixed-use retail, entertainment, office and residential community located on 540 acres in Decatur being developed by Genesis. An opening date for the Bass Pro Shops store has not been determined.
“We are honored to be the lead anchor for the new Sweetwater development project in Decatur – one of the largest and most exciting new retail developments in this area,” said Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops. “Placing our store at this highly visible location near I-65 will allow us to bring Bass Pro Shops low prices and famous friendly, expert service to better serve the many sportsmen, women as well as the visitors to this area each year,”
“The store will be a tribute to the great sporting tradition and heritage of the region and a celebration of the sporting men and women of Alabama,” added Morris.
Decatur, which is in the state's third most popular county, is a major hub in the Tennessee Valley for visitors and travelers between Nashville and Mobile as well as Chattanooga and New Orleans. Known affectionately as “The River City,” Decatur sits on the banks of Wheeler Lake along the Tennessee River.
Like many southern cities, Decatur's early success was based on its location on the river where railroad routes and boat and trade traffic converged. Today, the area's strong employment stems from technology, space and defense industries. Popular southern festivals such as Riverfest, the Spirit of America festival and the Racking Horse World Celebration, attract thousands of visitors annually making Decatur a tourist destination. The Bass Pro Shops Outpost in Decatur, located on I-65 – a major regional interstate serving three regions – will draw millions of visitors many of whom are from outside the region.
“The Consortium Firm and Genesis sought Bass Pro Shops because of their proven ability to create a destination experience and their integrity,” said Gary Glover of Genesis. “National retailers and restaurants follow Bass Pro Shops and that will mean good jobs and enhanced tax revenues for Decatur.”
“When you hear 'premier destination retailer' Bass Pro Shops is your first thought. To have these guys anchor a 500-plus-acre development in our city means more new stores, more jobs, more residents, a more attractive community–just a whole lot of good things happening,” said City of Decatur Mayor Don Kyle.
