Bass Pro Shops opening in St. Johns County

[tufsu1]

and Tampa is strongly considering saying thanks but no thanks

[thelakelander]

For some reason I can't imagine St. Johns County not giving these guys whatever they want and more.  I guess we'll see.

[Jason]

^  They most certainly will.......   

[FSBA]

What gets me is that county/city governments will gladly fork over millions to "create jobs" but makes it practically impossible for someone to start up a legit business these days.

[blizz01]

What's the latest on this?

[Charles Hunter]

The draft DOT budget for St. Johns County does not currently include any money for construction:
http://d2wpph.com/PDF/2013/StJohns%2011-27-13.pdf

[fsquid]

The draft DOT budget for St. Johns County does not currently include any money for construction:
http://d2wpph.com/PDF/2013/StJohns%2011-27-13.pdf

no bass pro then.

[tufsu1]

^ they could always pay for it themselves

[fsquid]

^ they could always pay for it themselves

not when someone will eventually pay for it.

[Tacachale]

^Yeah, that's not how that company operates. Good on St. Johns if they stick with it, subsidizing retail is almost always a loser.

[I-10east]

I finally went to a Bass Pro Shops (Orlando) on Saturday after a day trip to nearby Fun Spot America. Alot of tourist traffic in there. IMO the scenery is great (aquarium, waterfall, fun 50 cent shooting gallery, theming etc) The apparel section, not so much. I went in BPS with intentions of buying something, but couldn't find anything. It's all good to have a woodsy rustic cabin on the floor, but do yall have a decent North Face selection? It seems like most of the apparel was house brand stuff ALOT of RedHead (house brand). Alot of Columbia, and some Under Armour. IMO with non house brand apparel selection-wise & shoes, Gander Mtn KILLS Bass Pro Shops (esp for the smaller size that Gander Mtn is). BPS is GREAT when it comes to sporting equipment; Speedboats, canoes, fishing rods, hunting gear etc.

Adjoining BPS is the 'bustling' Festival Bay Mall. Boy, this mall makes current Regency Square Mall look decent. Festival Bay is pretty new too (2002 I believe) and it's very sad to walk around in there, I'm talking D-E-A-D and E-M-P-T-Y. It was no more than five people in there including me; I saw a mother with her two boys, and that's it. BPS is it's only saving grace. Ironically, the only restaurant the place has is Fuddruckers (the Landing would be saving grace, I guess) way on the ass-end of the mall. The place also has a movie theater, Ron Jon surf, and one other store. The Fuddruckers atrium area is HUGE, and it has a large fountain-esque pool; My first thought was that could be an indoor theme park. I heard that it was supposed to be a 'surf park' but failed. Nearby Mall of Milennia definitely owns that area when it comes to shopping; I have no area why they built it so close to Mall of Milennia. Sorry for going way offcourse.

[thelakelander]

Festival Bay opened in 2002 and it's been empty the entire time. However, it's being redeveloped into an artisan marketplace:

The opening of a new artisan market replacing the Festival Bay mall has been delayed about six months, but construction is underway, and developers say that it will eventually include a skate park.

When completed, the $70 million Artegon Orlando is expected to include an indoor farmers' market and a collection of stores, stands and kiosks in which artisans will sell their work.

Full article: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-12-05/business/os-festival-bay-mall-artegon-20131205_1_paragon-outlet-partners-festival-bay-skate-park


Also, the third phase of SR 9B has been modified and now includes an extra interchange south of Race Track Road.  I assume this would serve the proposed BPS site.

[I-10east]

^^^Thanks for the info Lake. There sure was alot of construction on Intl' Drive. 

[tufsu1]

That extra interchange used to just be a turn off to get folks to Racetrack Road....what a joke!

[Overstreet]

I finally went to a Bass Pro Shops (Orlando) on Saturday after a day trip to nearby Fun Spot America. Alot of tourist traffic in there. IMO the scenery is great (aquarium, waterfall, fun 50 cent shooting gallery, theming etc) The apparel section, not so much. I went in BPS with intentions of buying something, but couldn't find anything. ......................Adjoining BPS is the 'bustling' Festival Bay Mall. Boy, this mall makes current Regency Square Mall look decent. .................

That mall died when they put another mall across the road and another up the road a little.

Apparel? ......you were there for the wrong reason.