TYLER, Texas — East Texans are still buzzing about the news of Bass Pro Shops coming to Tyler. Its location is confirmed, and estimated renovation dates are set.
"I thought it was fake," DJ Meyers, an avid angler said.
But it’s not; recently, Bass Pro Shops filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for a renovation at the former RVs by Camping World. On Wednesday, city officials discussed the agreement and its economic impact on the Tyler area.
"I think it's gonna have a huge impact. And people like to say I love to hunt and fish in East Texas. So people are going to come from all over the region, to get their supplies to go out there and hunt and fish and everything else," Tyler Mayor, Don Warren said.
There are over 170 Bass Pro Shops in the U.S. However, the closest location to East Texas are both over an hour drive. So this new location has anglers excited– DJ Meyers is one of them.
"Technically around this area there are a lot of lakes to fish, and we normally have to travel. We’ve got to travel to Shreveport or Dallas to go to a Bass Pro Shop. We went there last night in Shreveport," Meyers said.
Not only does this new location help cut travel time, but it also keeps the revenue in East Texas.
"We’re taking Tyler's Revenue and we’re going to Dallas, we’re going to Shreveport and doing that kind of deal, so now, local money local stores," Meyers said.
The renovation will be over 73,000 square feet, and is estimated to start in mid-August and be completed by February, 2025.
"It's gonna be fun, it's gonna be exciting. It's gonna be good for families and kids to go in and shop. And we don't have anything really like it," Mayor Warren said.
So in just about 8 months, Bass Pro Shops will be reeling in the excitement and the revenue to the Tyler area!