Bass Pro Shops is officially on its way to the Finger Lakes region.
The company announced Oct. 21 that a new 90,000-square-foot Bass Pro Shops Outpost will open at Eastview Mall in Victor in late 2026 — marking the retailer’s fifth New York state location. Founded in 1972, Bass Pro Shops is known for its extensive selection of hunting, fishing, and camping gear.
The new Victor store will feature a custom design that pays tribute to the region’s outdoor heritage, according to the company.
“We have a great deal of passion for this entire region and the amazing range of outdoor recreation options it offers,” said Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. “We are genuinely proud and excited about this new location and the impact it will have.”
A long-awaited project in Victor
Plans for a Bass Pro Shops in Victor have been discussed for more than a decade.
In 2014, the company was expected to anchor the Fishers Ridge development off Route 96 as part of a $40 million project led by the DiMarco Group. That plan included a larger “Outdoor World” store and an attached restaurant and entertainment center called Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill, but the project never moved forward.
Now, Bass Pro Shops will instead take over the former Lord & Taylor space at Eastview Mall, which has sat vacant for over five years. The new store is expected to create more than 120 jobs.
Victor Town Supervisor Jack Marren called the development a collaborative effort among Bass Pro Shops, the Town of Victor, Wilmorite (Eastview’s owner), and the Ontario County IDA.
“The addition of Bass Pro not only revitalizes a key retail space at Eastview Mall but also strengthens our reputation as a top destination for shopping and leisure,” Marren said. “We’re excited about the economic impact and increased foot traffic this will bring.”
Morgan Todd, Wilmorite’s vice president of leasing, said the new store will help draw visitors from Syracuse, Buffalo, and the Southern Tier.
“I am honored to have played a role in bringing Bass Pro Shops to Eastview,” Todd said. “This project will have a positive impact on Victor, Ontario County, and the greater Rochester community.”
About Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops began in 1972 when Johnny Morris started selling fishing tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri. The company now operates around 200 retail stores across North America and merged with Cabela’s in 2017.
Conservation remains central to its mission – Bass Pro Shops reports donating more than 10% of its proceeds over the past decade to local environmental causes.
The company also operates White River Marine Group, the world’s largest maker of recreational and fishing boats, and partnered with Textron in 2019 to create a line of ATVs, side-by-sides, and sport carts.
Employment information for the new Victor store will be posted at basspro.com/careers as the opening date approaches.
— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who covers breaking and trending news for the Finger Lakes Region. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Major outdoor retailer coming to Eastview Mall. What to know
Reporting by Madison Scott, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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