LITTLE ROCK — Bass Pro Shops will anchor a 169-acre shopping center, a Bass Pro investment that could create about 250 jobs, the company announced Friday.
The Gateway Town Center, to be located off Interstates 30 and 430 in southwest Little Rock, also will include an outlet mall, developer Tommy Hodges said.
“We have reached a firm agreement and will start infrastructure work later this summer with the new 120,000-square-foot store, expected to open in time for Christmas next year,” Hodges said.
More than eight years ago, Bass Pro announced it would be part of a North Little Rock mall development led by real estate developer Bruce Burrow. The project never materialized.
“We have been hoping for a store in Little Rock for a long time and, thanks to Tommy Hodges, we believe we have found the best location possible,” said Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops.
The Bass Pro store will offer outdoor gear and clothing, as well as a gift shop, nature center and restaurant.
Morris said he was “optimistic” that the development would include a Bradford Marine Center.