Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid in Memphis welcomes more than one million visitors in first 70 days
One-of-a-kind attraction earns Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris national recognition for Shaping Retail’s Future
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – More than one million visitors have experienced Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, a new national destination attraction in downtown Memphis. Located inside a massive transformed sports arena, the dynamic, immersive adventure contains restaurants, retail, a hotel and attractions designed to appeal to a wide variety of outdoor enthusiasts as well as families looking to have fun.
According to turnstile data, the millionth customer visited the Pyramid on Wednesday, July 8 – just 70 days after officials first opened its doors on April 29– reflecting sustained excitement for the experience that had already resulted in the most successful opening in company history.
Bass Pro Shops officials cite overwhelming excitement and positive word of mouth from visitors.
“From the outset we envisioned Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid as a ‘must-see’ destination and the enthusiastic response confirms our customers agree,” said General Manager David Hagel. “We are grateful to all our visitors from the Memphis community, the Mid-South region, across the country and around the world.”
The Next Evolution in American Retail
The innovative nature of the Pyramid’s transformation from sports arena to immersive destination experience is one of the reasons Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, a pioneer in North American retail sporting goods and passionate conservationist, was recently named by the National Retail Federation Foundation as one of 25 “People Shaping Retail’s Future.”
Morris, often referred to as the “Walt Disney of retail,” was recognized by his peers in the "Giver" category for retailers who use their power, presence and resources to spark positive change for customers and communities. This is the second time the NRF Foundation has recognized Morris’ national contributions. In 2008, his visionary spirit earned him the NRF Foundation's “Innovator of the Year” award.
Envisioned by Morris, the ambitious Memphis project represents the single largest investment in size and scope that Bass Pro Shops has ever made outside of its national headquarters in Springfield, Missouri. Using his visionary creativity and signature eye for detail the result is a one-of-a-kind adventure The TODAY Show calls, “the next evolution in American retail.”
In addition to a vast assortment of outdoor gear including the greatest selection of waterfowl equipment anywhere, the Pyramid includes Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill, an “underwater” bowling alley and restaurant, a wilderness hotel called Big Cypress Lodge, nearly 600,000 gallons of water features, a cypress swamp with 100-foot-tall trees, the interactive Ducks Unlimited Waterfowling Heritage Center, and The Lookout, a breathtaking glass-floored cantilevering observation deck at the top of the 32-story steel Pyramid.
Ongoing Events and Activities
There are even more reasons for customers to visit Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid in the months ahead. The attraction will host many exciting special events including the Fall Hunting Classic and the company’s hugely popular Santa’s Wonderland, among others. The Fall Classic event features the industry’s leading experts, free seminars and workshops, and the area’s biggest selection of fall hunting gear and apparel. Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland gives families the opportunity to make special Christmas memories with free pictures with Santa, crafts, games, and activities—all set in a magical Christmas village complete with old-time model trains, remote control trucks, a laser arcade, and slot car racing.
Additionally, The Lookout at the Pyramid, a signature dining experience located at the Pyramid’s apex, will also soon begin table service. The full service fine dining restaurant and bar specializes in southern-inspired comfort dishes and includes a stunning 10,000-gallon catfish aquarium in the restaurant’s center. Officials originally delayed its opening to allow as many visitors as possible experience The Lookout’s glass-floored observation decks offering 360-degree views 300 feet above Memphis and the Mississippi River.
Additional details about these activities and more will be announced soon.
Store hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.Admission to the store is free. Select attractions require a fee. Elevator access to The Lookout, the observation deck located at the top of the Pyramid, is $10 (kids can ride for $5 until 4 p.m.). Guests can also purchase an annual membership for $100. Admission is included for Big Cypress Lodge guests.
Visitors can see this one-of-a-kind retail experience inside the iconic Memphis Pyramid located at 1 Bass Pro Drive, Memphis, Tennessee. Follow Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid on Facebook and Twitter and using #BassProPyramid.
About Bass Pro Shops®
Bass Pro Shops®, which specializes in outdoor fun, operates 94 stores and Tracker Marine Centers across America and Canada that are visited by more than 120 million people every year. Bass Pro Shops stores, many of which feature restaurants, offer hunting, fishing,camping and other outdoor gear while their catalogs and website serve shoppers throughout the world. The company’s Tracker Marine Group® (http://www.trackermarine.com), a leading brand of fishing boats for more than 37 years, manufactures and sells a variety of boats for fishing and cruising. Family fun is on tap at Bass Pro Shops resort Big Cedar Lodge® (http://www.bigcedar.com), voted by Travel + Leisure as one of the top 50 Best Hotels for Families in the U.S. For more information, visit http://www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bassproshops.