Opening date set for Bass Pro Shops' new mega store in West Chester

Randy Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer
Updated ·2 min read
A view inside Bass Pro Shops at Cincinnati Mall in March 2021. The outdoor retailer, which opened at the struggling mall in 2000, will shut its doors there for good Jan. 13 and move to a new mega store near Interstate 75 in West Chester in February.
A view inside Bass Pro Shops at Cincinnati Mall in March 2021. The outdoor retailer, which opened at the struggling mall in 2000, will shut its doors there for good Jan. 13 and move to a new mega store near Interstate 75 in West Chester in February.

Bass Pro Shops will close its Cincinnati Mall location Jan. 13 and reopen in late February in a new store along Interstate 75 in West Chester, the company announced Friday.

Bass Pro Shops' exit from the mall, formerly known as Forest Fair Mall, will leave one remaining anchor tenant there, Kohl's.

Kohl's has a long-term lease and intends to stay put, according to Forest Park City Manager Don Jones, who said the redevelopment of the 90-acre mall site, which straddles Fairfield and Forest Park, is still under negotiation.

Jones declined to comment further but acknowledged that the quasi-governmental Butler County Land Bank has a $7.9 million state grant to tear down the mall that must be used before the end of 2025.

Dallas-based Hillwood Construction Services has a contract to purchase the 1.5 million-square-foot mall but is seeking tax incentives and rezoning from Fairfield and Forest Park before it completes the purchase, The Enquirer previously reported.

Meanwhile, Bass Pro Shops is planning to combine its former Cincinnati Mall operation with sister outdoor retailer, Cabela’s, at a new 125,000-square-foot Outdoor World mega store at 5951 Bass Pro Drive near the Union Centre Boulevard exit off I-75.

Cabela's, which was acquired by Bass Pro Shops in 2017, will close its location at 7250 Cabela Drive in West Chester on Feb. 24, according to a press release.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to expand the offering of outdoor gear we provide the passionate sportsmen and women of this tri-state region, and we hope the community is proud of how this new store reflects Ohio’s rich sporting heritage,” Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris stated.

Outdoor World will hold its grand opening Feb. 21 with an "Evening for Conservation" event at 6 p.m. that will direct 10% of every dollar spent at the store during the event to local conservation organizations.

The grand opening will feature fishing and hunting celebrity appearances, family activities and giveaways.

Customers attending the grand opening can enter a sweepstakes to win a Bass Pro Shops fishing package grand prize worth $599.99.

There will also be daily door prizes for the first 100 families in the store that will include gift cards up to $500, Cabela’s Open Season Burger Seasoning Samplers, Bass Pro trucker hats and Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Signature Steak Strips.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bass Pro Shops moving to West Chester, deserting Cincinnati Mall