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By Sheila Talley
Driving through the expansive parking lot of Bass Pro Outdoor World, with its fish-lined cross-ways, a first time customer couldn’t know the allure ahead. By the time you reach the sidewalk entrance with pools of water cascading over rocks, you know you’re in a fantasy outdoors world. Stepping inside the 150,000 square foot structure you enter a fabulous vacation lodge setting in the mountains of Virginia. The customer service desk, reminiscent of an upscale lodge, is the place to ask questions or acquire hunting and fishing licenses. Across the room are comfy sofas arranged before a huge stone, working gas fireplace. Friendly greeters welcome guests and hand out fliers, telling of the specials for the day.
 “You will find our complex is a complete entertainment center for the entire family,” Greg Bulkley, manager of Hanover’s operation said recently. “As much as we value hunting and fishing, that is not all we’re about.”
Replicas of many wild species of animals are one of the first things you’ll notice. A life-size grizzly bear, bobcats, deer and other animals are everywhere, looking natural among carved rocks and forest. They stand high above merchandise ranging from $1.00 snack items to the best quality boats. Tracker Boats, the largest boating manufacturer in the world is owned by John Morris, who also owns all 52 Bass Pro locations across North America. He founded Bass Pro in the corner of a small liquor store in Springfield, Missouri in 197l.
No two locations are the same. Each location uses scenes of nearby attractions to decorate their store. It feels like the Virginia Mountains in Hanover, as you spy the main focal point, Natural Bridge, complete with George Washington’s carved initials. You’ll soon see Mabry Mill, Luray Caverns and other stunning Virginia attractions. Just past a huge array of candies, snacks, gadgets, mens’ and womens’ apparel, and gifts located near and in the General Store, you’ll find my favorite place, the Fudge Shop. Steve Beverly, promotion manager for both the Hanover and Hampton stores, introduced me to the workers there, who were anxious to tell us of the many varieties they make in the quaint shop.
Around the corner is the Fish Company Restaurant, which is easily a destination of its own. The aromas that day were enticing and the varied menu is reasonably priced. I spoke to Jean Whiteside, who had just enjoyed lunch with her family. She assured me, “This is a great place and fun to visit.” Inside the restaurant, many huge fishermens’ catches hang over an 11,399-gallon, salt water aquarium. In passing, another diner told me, “If you like seafood, try the coconut shrimp.”
Across the sizeable main floor is one of the most beautiful attractions in Bass Pro... an amazing fresh water waterfall that feeds into a 250,000 gallon aquarium with many fresh water fish. Feeding and fishing demonstrations are held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 12 noon.
I remarked to Steve Beverly, my Bass Pro Guide, “You have everything but the kitchen sink.”
“I think if we go up to the Camping Department we’ll find some kind of sink,” Beverly laughed. He escorted me through the wonderland store and upstairs to the Camping Department where we did indeed find a portable sink.” Manager of Camping, Bob Fox, admitted he didn’t know half of the camping equipment existed until he took this job. “Things have changed since I went camping with a tent and sleeping bag years ago,” Fox said.
The replica of Natural Bridge took us to other areas upstairs, including an Archery Range where shoppers can test out equipment or practice the sport for a few dollars. Across the bridge from Men’s Shoes, is a laser shooting range. You’ll also find a wide array of attractive kayaks and canoes. A glass elevator, similar to those you find in luxury hotels, whisks customers between levels where one can experience a simulated drive in a race car. You will virtually find anything you’ve every dreamed of owning in the field of outdoor sports.
Steve Beverly wants the public to know that Bass Pro partners with area conservation group efforts. The plaques on the wall at the Hanover location display many citations the store garnered for its service to the community.
After my lengthy and interesting tour of Pro Bass, I saw two ladies at a podium as I was leaving. I asked Beverly what job they held. “We want to greet you as you come and wish you well as you leave,” he said. “If you have any questions about your merchandise or our store, these folks will help you.”
Visit Pro Bass from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday thru Saturday and from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Sundays at 11550 Lakeridge Parkway in the center of the new Winding Brooks development. The development is located between Route l and Route 95 near the Lewistown Road exit. Call (804) 4966-4700 for more information.
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