Byline: Dave Tobin Staff writer
On the ever-changing drawing board of Bass Pro Shops' Fingerlakes Mall store, a new development has emerged: an outdoor, historical museum in the former second-floor roller-skating rink.
The museum will focus on the hunting and fishing history of New York state, from the Finger Lakes to the Adirondacks.
A centerpiece of the exhibit will be a large collection of mounted animals and animal heads that have been donated by a local outdoors enthusiast, said Greg Bulkley, the store's general manager.
'It's fabulous,' Bulkley said.
Bass Pro will have conference rooms for use by community groups attached to the museum, he said.
The newest change brings the store and museum's total square footage to about 114,000 square feet.
Bass Pro Shops' plans for the second floor of the mall, above the commons area and food court, continue to change.
Right now, plans include an archery department and shooting range, and a video gun-shooting arcade. Two pedestrian bridges over the food court will connect the store and the museum.
Bass Pro Shops specializes in hunting and fishing gear, outdoor clothing and vehicles. The chain has 21 stores. Only two have outdoor museums as part of the store.
The store, to be located in Aurelius, west of Auburn, is scheduled to open June 4. The museum will not open until midsummer.
'We think it will be great for this area,' Bulkley said.
People already have donated old guns, antique fishing lures, old traps and Adirondack boats. Bass Pro officials are seeking other outdoor sport artifacts for display in the museum, according to Bulkley. For information on making a donation, call (417) 873-5000.
'We pride ourselves on being a destination shop,' he said. 'As much as dad wants to come spend the day looking at our guns and fishing tackle, sometimes mom and the kids, who are not that much into the hunting and fishing, would like to come up here and spend time.'
The job market
Bass Pro plans to open its hiring center for hourly workers March 15, just off the Fingerlakes Mall food court. Interviews will be conducted over two weeks. All executive positions for the Auburn store have been filled.
Bulkley said prospective employees should not call the mall office and should not send resumes in advance.
'The same consideration will be given to people in the second week, on the last day and the last hour, as they will to the first person,' he said. 'We won't make any hiring decisions until we're done interviewing everybody.'
