Bass Pro joint venture buys Ridgedale resort

A joint venture between Bass Pro Shops and Boca Raton, Florida-based Bluegreen Vacations Holding Corp. has purchased a resort in Ridgedale near Table Rock Lake.

The joint venture, Bluegreen/Big Cedar Vacations LLC, acquired Branson Cedars Resort on State Highway 86, about a half mile west of the Big Cedar entrance. The financial terms for the 80-acre property were undisclosed in a news release issued last week.

“We are once again pleased to joint venture with Bass Pro Shops in acquiring another property in this spectacular region,” said Ray Lopez, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Bluegreen Vacations, in the release. “Bluegreen continues to be focused on identifying new inventory in strategic destinations that we believe offer our owners and guests unique and memorable experiences.”

Bluegreen/Big Cedar Vacations also owns The Cliffs at Long Creek, Wilderness Club and Paradise Point in the Branson area. Additionally, The Falls Village in Branson is a separately owned Bluegreen resort.

The Branson Cedar Resort features cottages, cabins and treehouses, swimming pools, a disc golf course, a retail shop and a restaurant, according to the release. Officials say renovations are planned.

Bass Pro and Bluegreen Vacations previously have been opponents in litigation proceedings, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. Bluegreen Vacations in 2019 agreed to pay more than $40 million to settle allegations of “high pressure salesmanship” inside Bass Pro and Cabela’s stores, contract violations and missed commission payments, according to past reporting.