Bass Pro to open second New York store

Bass Pro Shops plans to open its second New York store late this year in Utica.

The 65,000-square-foot Outpost store would be located in a shopping complex known as Riverside Center, situated near Interstate 90, according to a news release.

“They will be a great draw for the shopping center and the city of Utica," said Elie Schwartz, CEO of Riverside Center owner Nightingale Properties LLC, in the release. Schwartz noted the lease was brokered by Steve Scaramuzzino of the New York-based Scara Group.

According to Bass Pro, more than 1.9 million people hunt or fish in New York, ranking the state No. 3 in overall U.S. participation.

“This highly visible location is easily accessible and will allow us to bring Bass Pro Shops’ low prices and famous friendly, expert service to better serve the many sportsmen and women as well as the millions of visitors to the area each year," Bass Pro founder Johnny Morris said in the release.

Bass Pro also operates a New York store in Finger Lakes, located about 106 miles west of centrally located Utica.

The company predicts more than 120 million will visit its 77 stores and marine centers this year in the U.S. and Canada. Bass Pro also has 17 U.S. stores in the works, according to BassPro.com.