Bass Pro Shops is an American outdoor retail giant that specializes in hunting, fishing, camping, and boating gear. The company was founded in 1971 by Johnny Morris, who was an avid fisherman and hunting enthusiast. The first Bass Pro Shops location was a small fishing tackle store located in Springfield, Missouri.
Since its humble beginnings, Bass Pro Shops has grown to become one of the largest outdoor retailers in the world. The company now has more than 170 retail locations across the United States and Canada and employs over 40,000 people.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the history of Bass Pro Shops, its expansion, and how it has become the go-to destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
The Early Days of Bass Pro Shops
Johnny Morris founded Bass Pro Shops in 1971, and the first location was a small fishing tackle store in Springfield, Missouri. Morris had a passion for fishing and hunting, and he saw an opportunity to create a store that catered to the needs of outdoor enthusiasts like himself.
The original Bass Pro Shops store was only 8 square feet, and Morris stocked it with a few dozen fishing lures and tackle. However, he quickly realized that there was a demand for outdoor gear, and he began to expand his offerings.
In 1974, Morris began publishing a mail-order catalogue that featured hunting and fishing gear, as well as tips and advice for outdoor enthusiasts. The catalogue was an instant success, and Morris began to receive orders from all over the country.
Expansion and Growth
With the success of the mail-order catalogue, Morris began to expand the business. In 1981, he opened a new location in Springfield, Missouri, that was 20,000 square feet. This location had a fishing museum, an indoor shooting range, and a restaurant. It was the first Bass Pro Shops location to offer a complete outdoor experience.
Over the years, Morris continued to expand Bass Pro Shops, opening new locations across the country. In 1995, he opened a 300,000-square-foot store in Springfield, Missouri, which was the largest outdoor store in the world at the time.
In 2001, Bass Pro Shops acquired Outdoor World, a chain of outdoor stores that specialized in hunting and fishing gear. This acquisition allowed Bass Pro Shops to expand its reach even further, and the company continued to grow through the early 2000s.
In 2017, Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s, another outdoor retail giant. The acquisition made Bass Pro Shops one of the largest outdoor retailers in the world, with more than 170 locations across the United States and Canada.
Today, Bass Pro Shops offers a wide range of outdoor gear, including fishing and hunting equipment, camping gear, boating supplies, and clothing. The stores feature large aquariums, wildlife displays, and other interactive exhibits, making them a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
Conservation Efforts
One thing that sets Bass Pro Shops apart from other outdoor retailers is its commitment to conservation. Johnny Morris has been an advocate for conservation for many years, and he has worked to protect and preserve wildlife and their habitats.
In 1984, Morris founded the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Conservation Fund, which supports conservation efforts around the world. The fund has donated millions of dollars to conservation projects, including the restoration of wetlands, the protection of wildlife habitats, and the conservation of endangered species.
In addition to the conservation fund, Bass Pro Shops has also partnered with a number of organizations to support conservation efforts. The company has partnered with Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, among others.
The Takeaway
Bass Pro Shops is a true American success story. The company was founded by a passionate outdoorsman, Johnny Morris, who saw an opportunity to create a store that catered to the needs of outdoor enthusiasts like himself. Since its inception, Bass Pro Shops has expanded to become the largest outdoor retailer in the world, with more than 170 retail locations across the United States and Canada.
Bass Pro Shops has set itself apart from other outdoor retailers with its commitment to conservation. The company has donated millions of dollars to conservation efforts around the world and has partnered with a number of organizations to protect and preserve wildlife and their habitats.
Bass Pro Shops continues to be the go-to destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wide range of gear for hunting, fishing, camping, boating, and more. The stores are known for their large aquariums, wildlife displays, and other interactive exhibits, making them a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
