One-of-a-kind attraction reaches new milestone after opening, solidifying reputation as a “must-see” destination and a catalyst for redevelopment
Memphis, TN -(AmmoLand.com)- Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, a new destination retail attraction in downtown Memphis, has welcomed more than two million visitors in its first year of operation.
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.
Turnstile data shows the Pyramid officially welcomed its two millionth visitor on Monday, December 14 though the actual visitor count is higher because not all guests enter through a turnstile. The staggering numbers reflect the ongoing interest and excitement for the Pyramid since its grand opening celebration just eight months earlier on April 29, 2015. The Pyramid’s General Store alone has sold more than 27 tons of fudge.
Envisioned by Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris as a national destination experience, the wide variety of experiences combined with an immersive design and unique setting inside a massive pyramid along the Mississippi River has earned Bass Pro Shops and the City of Memphis international recognition. Today the Pyramid has welcomed visitors from all over the world and has quickly established itself as a “must-see” experience for visitors in Memphis.
“Visitors are making special trips to experience Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid because there is nothing like it anywhere in the world,” said General Manager David Hagel. “We are grateful to our loyal Bass Pro Shops fans as well as first-time visitors for embracing us with such enthusiasm. It has been an incredible year and this is an amazing early Christmas gift.”
Larger than life elements with a signature attention-to-detail make the Pyramid an unforgettable experience. Visitors can enjoy a vast assortment of outdoor gear, nearly 600,000 gallons of water features, a cypress swamp with soaring 100-foot-tall trees, the interactive Ducks Unlimited Waterfowling Heritage Center, Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill, an “underwater” bowling alley and restaurant, a wilderness hotel called Big Cypress Lodge and The Lookout, a breathtaking glass-floored cantilevering observation deck at the top of the 32-story steel Pyramid.
The foot traffic pouring into the Pyramid is helping to spur community leaders and officials from the City of Memphis to evaluate various redevelopment opportunities in the area.
Santa’s Wonderland and Other Special Events a Big Draw
Adding to the excitement are special events and activities that ensure there is always something new to see. Currently the Pyramid is hosting Santa’s Wonderland, which transforms a portion of the Pyramid into a sprawling Christmas village featuring rustic Christmas cabins, moving model trains, RC trucks, animated Christmas characters, interactive talking caribou set amongst illuminated Christmas trees and an arctic sky. The Christmas village offers old-time model trains, remote control trucks, a laser arcade and a foam toy arcade. Families can also spend time at one of the activity tables where they can write a letter to Santa and make Christmas decorations and handmade crafts to take home, all for free.
The highlight of Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland is the big guy himself. Families visiting Santa Claus receive a FREE 4 x 6 studio-quality photo to cherish for years to come. Millions of families return to Santa’s Wonderland year after year to participate in this magical tradition.
This fall the Pyramid hosted the World’s Hunting & Waterfowl Expo, the largest hunting and waterfowl event ever with an unprecedented lineup of activities and special events for outdoor enthusiasts and families. The ten-day event included free concerts, fireworks, celebrity appearances, duck calling contests and daily seminars and demonstrations by top names from the world of hunting and for everyone from experts to beginners.
Additionally, The Lookout at the Pyramid, a signature dining experience located at the Pyramid’s apex, will soon begin dinner service and debut an all-new lunch menu and signature cocktails.
The full service restaurant and bar includes a stunning 10,000-gallon catfish aquarium in the restaurant’s center.
About Bass Pro Shops:
Bass Pro Shops, which specializes in outdoor fun, operates 92 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, 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, voted number six by Travel + Leisure Magazine as World’s Best Hotels for Families. To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bassproshops.
For more information, visit http://www.basspro.com.