Courtesy Paul Post
Bass Pro Shops Opens In Clifton Park, Creating Buzz, Jobs, And A Regional Outdoor Destination
By Paul Post
Jim Carey got up long before dawn, drove to Clifton Park and by 4 a.m. was first in line to enter a new Bass Pro Shops, whose doors wouldn’t open for another twelve-and-a-half hours.
He maintained the vigil despite searing hot afternoon temperatures that soared into the 90s.
“I didn’t want to fight the crowds to get in,” the Albany resident said, smiling. “I love Bass Pro Shops and I was curious to see what they did with the building. It’s beautiful inside. It’s going to be good for the area. It’s going to bring a lot of people in.”
Carey, an avid hunter and fisherman, was joined by a huge throng curious to see the store’s many attractions such as a 25-yard indoor archery range; large colorful diorama of Split Rock Falls in the Adirondacks with water rushing into a 12,000-gallon educational aquarium; beautiful hand-painted, outdoors-themed murals; and a wide variety of mounted wildlife.
The three-story building’s high, cathedral-like ceiling and décor is not unlike that of a grand old lodge found at some of America’s favorite national parks such as Glacier, Yellowstone and Yosemite.
The new Clifton Park store is the fourth Bass Pro Shops in New York, joining others in Utica, Auburn and Cheektowaga. The Springfield, Missouri-based firm has about 180 sites throughout the U.S. and Canada.
In recent months, destination retail locations have also opened in Duluth, Minn.; Tyler, Texas; St. Augustine, Fla.; and Spring, Texas.
“Each one is built unique to the area,” store General Manager Bryan Lalone said. “So here, when you walk in you get the feeling that you’re in the Adirondacks, with elements relative to this area.”
A Stony Creek native and 1994 Warrensburg High School graduate, he jumped at the chance to work for Bass Pro Shops, following a 27-year career with Walmart and Price Chopper/Market 32.
The 70,000-square-foot store, visible from the Northway, is just off Exit 9 at 400 Clifton Park Center Road, on the site of the former Northstar Chevrolet.
Vendors representing a variety of interests from military veterans and conservation groups to energy drink products kept people busy while anxiously waiting for doors to open.
Bass Pro Shops promotes many types of conservation efforts. The store will host community events and outdoor education programming designed for families and children throughout the year, aligning with Bass Pro’s broader commitment to conservation and youth outdoor learning
The company is also a strong supporter of veterans organizations including Galway-based Alliance 180, a non-profit that uses equine therapy to prevent suicide among veterans, first responders and frontline healthcare workers impacted by traumatic events.
Alliance 180 was founded by Vietnam veteran Bob Nevins of Saratoga Springs, who turned out for the store’s grand opening.
“This is another jewel in the Capital District’s crown,” he said. “This kind of operation that supports all of the hunters and fishermen is sorely needed here. Bass Pro is about as good as you’re going to get. It’s worth a visit.”
Of course, the store is expected to provide a major economic boost to Clifton Park, Saratoga County and the North Country by promoting year-round outdoor recreational pursuits from ice fishing to hiking in the High Peaks.
The store has created jobs for up to 145 local workers, boosting household income and local consumer spending in the area.
Brian Carter, of thebasscast.com website says: “When a new store opens, it injects vitality into the surrounding economy. Jobs are created, tourism is fostered, and local businesses thrive. It’s not just the direct employment opportunities at the store itself but also the ripple effect that benefits a myriad of other establishments. Restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and various retail shops experience an uplift as fishing enthusiasts come from near and far to visit the Bass Pro Shops mecca.”
In effect, a Bass Pro Shops store often serves as a catalyst for regional tourism, reinforcing the town’s identity as an outdoor and conservation hub. This can encourage long-term visitation and local event attendance.
The store has already triggered a significant upgrade in nearby highway infrastructure. In anticipation of greatly increased traffic, the Town of Clifton Park secured a $3.45 million state grant to construct a roundabout and sidewalks at Sitterly Road and Clifton Park Center Road, which enhances safety and accessibility in the retail corridor and mall area.
Such improvements benefit the entire town center by encouraging foot traffic and potential nearby retail growth.
Bass Pro Shops is owned by Johnny Morris, founder and lead outfitter, and his company, Great American Outdoors Group. He founded the company in 1972 and has remained its majority owner and CEO.
He also owns White River Marine Group, a leading boat manufacturer. In 2016, Bass Pro Shops acquired rival Cabela’s Inc. for $4.5 billion.
“Getting Bass Pro Shop to open in Clifton Park is a tremendous success story for the community, Saratoga County, and the region,” said Todd Shimkus, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce president. “They are way more than just a retail superstore, making sure to offer recreational and entertainment opportunities creating a true destination that people will visit from near and far. No doubt they will help us to continue to ensure that Saratoga County’s economy continues to succeed, grow and thrive.”
Editor’s Notes 8/21/25: The August print edition omitted the byline of Paul Post. The byline has been restored to properly credit the author.
Article has been updated to correct Morris’s title, Bass Pro Shops founder and chief outfitter, and added store locations.