Bass Pro Shops Plans First Store in New York Metro Area

Why It Matters

The development brings a major outdoor‑retail anchor to a densely populated market, promising job growth and long‑term tax revenue for Nassau County. It also signals Bass Pro’s strategic push into high‑density, affluent consumer regions.

Key Takeaways

• Bass Pro seeks 20‑year PILOT and tax exemptions from Nassau IDA
• Store will create 200 jobs with roughly $8 million annual payroll
• Construction budget set at $65 million for 130,000‑sq‑ft facility
• First Bass Pro location in downstate New York, nearest in Bridgeport, CT
• Lease of former Sears Auto Center site spans 9.8 acres

Pulse Analysis

Bass Pro Shops' decision to locate its first downstate New York store in Hicksville marks a strategic push into one of the nation’s most densely populated retail corridors. The 130,000‑square‑foot Outdoor World format, previously reserved for suburban hubs, will give the brand a foothold in a market where the nearest location is a 67‑mile drive to Bridgeport, Connecticut. By targeting Long Island’s affluent consumer base, Bass Pro hopes to capture outdoor‑enthusiast spending that has traditionally been split between Cabela’s and regional specialty retailers.

The project carries a $65 million construction budget and will lease a 9.8‑acre former Sears Auto Center, creating roughly 200 permanent positions with an estimated $8 million annual payroll. Nassau County officials are reviewing a 20‑year PILOT and sales‑tax exemptions, a common tool to attract anchor retailers that promise long‑term economic benefits. If approved, the development could spur ancillary investment, from hospitality to sporting‑goods suppliers, while boosting the local tax base once the incentive period expires. The project also anticipates increased traffic to nearby retail corridors, potentially raising sales for surrounding businesses.

Retail analysts see Bass Pro’s move as part of a broader shift toward experiential big‑box formats that blend shopping with outdoor activities, a model that has helped the combined Bass Pro and Cabela’s network reach 181 stores nationwide. As consumer interest in camping, hunting, and fishing rebounds post‑pandemic, the brand’s expansive inventory and in‑store attractions could draw shoppers away from e‑commerce‑only competitors. Success in the New York metro could also accelerate the chain’s rollout of similar Outdoor World sites in other high‑density markets.