Brunswick News

Bass Pro Shops on Big-time Roll with Brunswick

Back in 2005, Johnny Morris – the founder of Bass Pro Shops – had a big idea. What if they built venues to play the world’s #1 indoor sport inside America’s favorite outdoors superstores?

Over the next five years, Bass Pro Shops worked closely with Brunswick to turn that vision into a breakthrough reality. Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill debuted inside their new Altoona, IA, location in September 2010 – the first time a major retailer built a bowling center into their stores. “Johnny loves the attractions,” said Brunswick VP of Sales Kurt Harz, noting that Bass Pro Shops was already famous for featuring things like huge indoor fishing ponds and conservation museums. “The more fun they make each store, the farther away customers come from – and the longer they stay,” Harz said. The idea is clearly paying off . The second Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill opened in September 2011 at the new Bass Pro Shops in East Peoria, IL, and a third just last month in the new Harlingen, TX, store.

“Leave it to Bass Pro Shops to pioneer a whole new retail segment,” said Harz. “And leave it to Brunswick to be right there, innovating and partnering with them every step of the way.”