Rumor of Bass Pro Shops??

clarker2000 · January 19, 2011, 02:09:24 PM

Heard a rumor today that BPS is coming to Bel Air/Abingdon. My source is pretty credible. Man that would be dangerous. Anyone else heard anything?

jstrozier · January 19, 2011, 02:39:49 PM

Does your source say they will put it in at the new "Boulavard" place?

Only place I could think of new construction?

Would be sweet

clarker2000 · January 19, 2011, 02:56:04 PM

Thats where you would think it would go but they said BPS just purchased the entire property across the street where Gabriels and Weis is. Seems to small to me but maybe not.

tmetz11 · January 19, 2011, 03:00:36 PM

There goes the bank account!

emazing · January 19, 2011, 03:17:59 PM

it would make sense due to the amount of people that fish up that way. They would pull people from lower Delware too.

oh god my wife is giong to hate that.

CharlieD · January 19, 2011, 03:19:21 PM

Quote from: emazing on January 19, 2011, 03:17:59 PM
it would make sense due to the amount of people that fish up that way. They would pull people from lower Delware too.

oh god my wife is giong to hate that.

Yeah my wife won't be thrilled either lol

clarker2000 · January 19, 2011, 04:37:22 PM

My source also said the Night Shift was coming right next to Wegmans, he later told me he was joking.

On a serious note, BPS in Bel Air would be pretty awesome.

tank2205 · January 19, 2011, 10:01:30 PM

I was just told that there was discussion of the Weiss in Abingdon closing, and that was a potential site for the Bass Pro....

Guess we shall see...

bigjim5589 · January 19, 2011, 10:20:15 PM

To me that would seem odd that they would put a second one in MD. If you said near Wilmington, in DE, that would be more likely to me. No sales tax & near enough to draw folks from Eastern PA (Philly), NJ, MD & DE. But with the economy the way it is, why another one in Md? $:-\$

clarker2000 · January 20, 2011, 07:00:16 AM

I thought having a second bps was strange as well but with Weis closing and that area being built up and pulling from PA, DE etc... its makes sense. I was hoping that a Cabellas or something would come up here as well. I know a while ago there was some rumblings of Cabellas in White Marsh but havent seen anything on that. We need something up here thats for sure.

jstrozier · January 20, 2011, 08:11:46 AM

It makes sense because of the location....

That "Boulavard" place they are putting in is going to draw so many fIng people its going to be out of control. Think traffic is bad now on 24 and the surrounding area....wait till they complete this BS!

CharlieD · January 20, 2011, 09:13:06 AM

Quote from: clarker2000 on January 20, 2011, 07:00:16 AM
I thought having a second bps was strange as well but with Weis closing and that area being built up and pulling from PA, DE etc... its makes sense. I was hoping that a Cabellas or something would come up here as well. I know a while ago there was some rumblings of Cabellas in White Marsh but havent seen anything on that. We need something up here thats for sure.

I wish SFT would open a shop down here somewhere. Rather have something like that that has all of the latest gear and would stock what is actually being used by local fisherman. Now THAT would be dangerous lol. I'd be in there all the time.

Basscat7 · January 20, 2011, 10:42:55 AM

I doubt you see another Bass Pro or Cabela's, etc that close to the Baltimore one.

Delaware would be the next destination for BP or Cabela's.
Cabela's had made some preliminary inquiries about land outside of Odessa ,De. last year, heard nothing else since.

No sales tax would be a big draw, plus it would put one within a 45 minute drive of Havre de Grace, and the Philadelphia area........6 - 7 million people to draw from.
If they put it in the North Wilmington, De. area it would draw even more people from the Northern/Western Philly suburbs and Jersey.

SNAGGER51 · January 20, 2011, 01:12:10 PM

If one opens up, would one close down? There is also one in Harrisburg.

MiddleRiverMaster · January 20, 2011, 03:38:07 PM

A check of land records between October and the present (Jan 20th) does not show that property changing hands as of yet. (Or any property in that vicinity)

jstrozier · January 20, 2011, 07:47:26 PM

Quote from: CharlieD on January 20, 2011, 09:13:06 AM
I wish SFT would open a shop down here somewhere. Rather have something like that that has all of the latest gear and would stock what is actually being used by local fisherman. Now THAT would be dangerous lol. I'd be in there all the time.

Charlie...

This has been a thought of mind for awhile... I had several family members and a few others interested in investing on this idea. But with tha Whitemarsh/Cabelas rumor from a couple years back and giving up my career I never felt comfy pulling the trigger. I think there is a real gold mine here...but it will turn to dust if they ever open up a BPS or Cabelas..

my 2 cents

Just doesnt make any fing sense....we are on the dam upper bay and dont have a tackle shop anywere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

KennyC · January 21, 2011, 09:55:31 AM

I guess that would be good for me cuz my girlfriend lives across the street but I just can't see how that area can handle any more traffic, it is a nightmare now. I agree with above poster about having a shop more like SFT, they have more stuff in that small store that I would use than in a huge BPS. I'm not impressed at all with the BPS at the mall, not only is it terrible crowded they don't keep it stocked. I think it would be a hard row to hoe for a small store though, SFT is the only good local store left. I believe the BPS,s and Cabella's have put a hurtin' on them.

fish bone · January 21, 2011, 10:42:57 AM

If it's like where i live they will have five pizza places and five burger places and five of everything but no bass pro or anything someone might want

CharlieD · January 21, 2011, 11:17:33 AM

I agree a stand alone tackle shop would have a tough time breaking even but I think a shop that combined Bassboat / Fishing boat service work (including electronics), sold bait for the perch, rockfish and crabbing guys, to go along with the full blown tackle store would do pretty well. Maybe even have a hunting section. Put it somewhere along 40 in the middle of the Upper Bay Launches. Kind of like a mini Bass Pro lol - but with the stuff you actually need and the small shop personal feel.

jstrozier · January 21, 2011, 06:34:53 PM

Quote from: CharlieD on January 21, 2011, 11:17:33 AM
I agree a stand alone tackle shop would have a tough time breaking even but I think a shop that combined Bassboat / Fishing boat service work (including electronics), sold bait for the perch, rockfish and crabbing guys, to go along with the full blown tackle store would do pretty well. Maybe even have a hunting section. Put it somewhere along 40 in the middle of the Upper Bay Launches. Kind of like a mini Bass Pro lol - but with the stuff you actually need and the small shop personal feel.

We had something like that. Backwoods Sports on 40 right next to the Bush. He even had an indoor archery range. God bless the guy cuz he was a very nice but he just didnt have anything woth buying for bass...poorly advertised/marketed. I dont think many knew he was there? I see a need... one that I think could be very awesome around here...but I dont blame anybody for not pulling the trigger. If one of the big box stores comes along your screwed. However, if they didnt...economy or not.... you would make a killing. Just think about. Really think about it. From the Gunpowder to the Susky...All the yacht clubs...all the boats... all the fishing and crabbing..all the bass tx....and we got Dicks

and a Walmart $:-\$ ...... How does that make sense. Hell..only place to get night crawlers is 711...what about live shiners? Impossible..............

finfinder · January 21, 2011, 11:06:43 PM

Quote from: clarker2000 on January 20, 2011, 07:00:16 AM
I thought having a second bps was strange as well but with Weis closing and that area being built up and pulling from PA, DE etc... its makes sense. I was hoping that a Cabellas or something would come up here as well. I know a while ago there was some rumblings of Cabellas in White Marsh but havent seen anything on that. We need something up here thats for sure.

There is a thought in business to create your own competition. So the idea of another BPS makes a lot of sense. If Cabella's was thinking of an opportunity in Maryland but realized that two BPS stores were already there they might not see it as a profitable move. Basically how many ways can you split the sports dollar and still make money?

I do agree that putting one a little further north makes more sense though.

At any rate I would love to see it in the Bel Air Abingdon area

tcole007 · January 22, 2011, 08:58:19 AM

I doubt that another BPS will come to MD...however, I've heard for two years now that Cabela's was coming to PG county near Richie Marlboro Road / 495 (Near Fedex Field) Apparently they were going to put a warehouse there but I've heard in the last month that there is a sign on the property where the construction is saying Cablea's coming soon. Has anyone else heard or seen this?

jstrozier · January 22, 2011, 11:52:11 AM

Now that I think about it......they are moving the Regal Cinema from behind Walmart into the "Boulavard" so it will be just like the "Avenue" in Whitemarsh. That leaves that big ol movie theater wide open. Think its big enough for a BPS?

Howie · January 23, 2011, 01:11:29 AM

I don't know if there is any truth to any of the mentioned rumors, but I will throw my 2 cents in...

The Harrisburg store is one of the lowest grossing BPS stores, if not THE lowest in the entire chain. The location is bad and was a huge mistake. I grew up in Hershey, and my family still lives up there. From a "local" stand point, that was just dumb. I can tell you that almost everyone still goes to SFT, not a lot of the serious river guys bother with the BPS. They just don't have the right stuff.

The Hanover / Arundel Mills store is due for an upgrade. With the slots passing, the opportunity to make money is even greater for them. I am on the road 120-130 days a year, and I have been in almost all of the BPS stores across the country. A good majority of them have restaurants and multiple floors. There are even a few that have their own Starbucks inside the store. There has been talk, now that the slots have passed, that Morris is planning on a remodel of the Arundel Mills store, including adding a restaraunt. I think it is a safe bet that we will see that happen.

As far as multiple stores in one state or area, it is very likely. If you look at places like the Ft Lauderdale / Miami or Garland / Dallas Ft Worth you will see that a Hanover / White Marsh / Harrisburg would not be that surprising. Chicago is another area, I remember hitting both stores there in the same day, my hotel was about midway between the two stores.

I like BPS, but hate it at the same time. I like that fact that it is a giant chain enabling them to sell stuff at relatively cheap prices. However, just like Walmart, if you put one up, everything else around it will fall. The fact that SFT is still going is GREAT! But what saves them is having a loyal customer following, internet sales, and having their finger on the pulse of Susquehanna / Upper Bay / Potomac anglers. They work at it, and work very hard to keep up with the trends and keep it going. Would a third BPS kill them? Only time will tell I guess.

As far as Cabela's is concerned, I think they would be dumb to not try and compete with BPS in this area. But, truth be told, I could live without it. I am just not a big fan of Cabela's.

Anyway... thought I would throw my 2 cents in...

Ray Emory · January 23, 2011, 07:18:13 AM

A SFT would make a gold mine around here for sure. I've also thought about a tackle shop investment but just wasnt sure with the economy these days as J said. Yea we got walmart who doesnt carry crap for real bass fisherman and dicks who carries some decent stuff at times but man a SFT would be the bomb! BPS would be nice so lets see only time will tell guys