Why people are excited about the huge new Bass Pro Shops in southwest Ohio

Bass Pro Shops celebrates the grand opening of their new store Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 in West Chester Township. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

Bass Pro Shops celebrates the grand opening of their new store Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 in West Chester Township. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Ohio’s newest and largest outdoor sports store brought hundreds Wednesday evening for the festival-like atmosphere of the opening ceremony of Bass Pro Shops in West Chester Twp.

The much-anticipated megastore, which replaces company owned stores in Fairfield’s Forest Fair and Cabela’s in Liberty Twp., drew wide attention in the last year during its construction next to Interstate 75 near West Chester Twp.’s Union Centre Boulevard interchange.

RELATED: PHOTOS: Ohio’s largest Bass Pro Shops opens in West Chester Twp.

Here is a look at why people are so drawn to Bass Pro Shops’ Outdoor World.

It’s huge

Literally. The store is a 125,000-square-foot superstore. It is the largest Bass Pro Shops in Ohio.

Bass Pro Shops celebrates the grand opening of their new store Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 in West Chester Township. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

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Credit: Nick Graham

Best of both worlds

Bass Pro Shops acquired the Cabela’s chain in 2017. Shoppers can now get the best of both brands in one place.

Nick Wittrock shops during the grand opening of Bass Pro Shops Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 in West Chester Township. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

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Credit: Nick Graham

The aquarium

The new location includes Bass Pro’s signature features, such as localized imagery and hand-painted murals depicting local scenery. The store also features the Bass Pro Shops signature giant aquarium stocked with native fish species.

Hundreds gathered for the grand opening of Bass Pro Shops Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 in West Chester Township. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

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Credit: Nick Graham

Mesh trucker hats

It seems that everywhere you go, someone will be seen wearing a Bass Pro Shop hat. It’s the fashion accessory fans of the store wear proudly. They are comfortable, breathable and have that really cool fish logo on the front. Even the CEO wears one.

Bass Pro Shops CEO Johnny Morris speaks to the crowd during the grand opening of Bass Pro Shops Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 in West Chester Township. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

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Credit: Nick Graham

Shopping

Bass Pro Shops bills itself as the “World’s Leading Supplier of Premium Outdoor Gear.” They carry many of the top brands for fishing, boating, shooting, hunting, camping and more. You can shop for anything from home decor to clothing to outdoor power equipment.

Bass Pro Shops celebrates the grand opening of their new store Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 in West Chester Township. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

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Credit: Nick Graham

Location

153,000 vehicles travel through West Chester on I-75 daily. The store is positioned between Cincinnati and Dayton, and is easily assessable from many other cities.

Hundreds gathered for the grand opening of Bass Pro Shops Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 in West Chester Township. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

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Credit: Nick Graham

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