The hum of scissor lifts and grinding metal filled the air Tuesday as Bass Pro Shops employees stocked shelves and mopped floors ahead of next week’s grand opening.

“We are getting ready for our grand opening,” general manager Shawn Geer said. “There will be an entire weekend of the grand opening ceremony…We are just really excited to be able to open this store in Tyler.”

Set to open April 16, the new Bass Pro Shops gave the Tyler Morning Telegraph an early look as crews worked to finish the store. The 77,000-square-foot space is designed to reflect the company’s history and vision.

The store offers a wide range of hunting, fishing, boating and camping gear, along with features like an archery range, Boating Center, outdoor furniture and clothing.

“We have something for everyone that enjoys the outdoors,” Geer said.

Bass Pro Shops invites the community to the Evening of Conservation grand opening at 6 p.m. April 16. Guests can enjoy entertainment, including a “Shoot Like a Girl” event in the parking lot, a NASCAR car display featuring driver Chase Briscoe and photos with the Easter Bunny.

With thousands expected to attend, the event will also feature notable pro fishermen and live entertainment beginning at 5 p.m. Food trucks will be on-site for the event, and there will be giveaways throughout the weekend, including gift cards and Yeti water bottles.

The Evening of Conservation, part of the grand opening, will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. After the ceremony, the store will officially open. Additionally, 20% of all sales from the evening will benefit local conservation groups.

“Our founder, Johnny Morris, started doing the Evening of Conservation, and it’s all about connecting with the community and connecting with those conservation organizations and really standing behind that mission,” Geer said.

Inside the store, visitors will see hand-painted murals created by artists brought in from across the country. Hundreds of artifacts have also been placed throughout the space by the store’s imagery team.

One of the standout feature is the 23,000-gallon aquarium, designed to make guests feel like they’re underwater. When looking up, shoppers will see details like the bottom of a boat, a bait bucket, fish on the line and even a stringer — all carefully crafted to reflect the East Texas outdoors.

The Tyler location is the 17th Bass Pro Shops in Texas. The company has served the state for 26 years and is now expanding into East Texas. The store includes modern technology and signage, such as fully digital shelf labels and advanced systems throughout the building.

“It’s phenomenal. It saves a lot of time, and it also ensures that pricing is always accurate for our customers,” Geer said. Digital signs will highlight current sales and show Club-exclusive pricing. With a Bass Pro Shops Club card, customers can access even more deals.

East Texas was a natural choice for expansion, Geer said. Many outdoor enthusiasts in the region currently travel to Shreveport or Dallas for similar shopping needs. The new location will save customers both time and money.

A two-day hiring event in February received a tremendous response, resulting in the recruitment of about 130 outdoor enthusiasts to serve the community. According to Geer, they’ve been instrumental in setting up the new location.

“I remember walking in here the first day, and it was just four walls, so to see it today, where we’ve come, I’m very, very proud of my team, and we’re just excited to be able to serve the community,” Geer said.

The store is located at 151 Market Square Blvd., near the Village at Cumberland Park in South Tyler. The space was previously occupied by RVs.com as a Camping World, which closed in November 2023.