Bass Pro Looking to Fast Track Buffalo Store

[ex pat in exile]

Otto The Auto wrote:

<quoted text>Hey! Let's carpool! Safety in numbers you know.

Sure the mark up on Hooks and lines is like 200% nothing like catching a fish on a 5 dollar hook as oppsed to the 1 dollar ones

[hotcoppers]

James Z from KT wrote:

Wal-mart would bring more money into downtown on their worst day than Bass Pro ever will on their best day.

You are clueless//it is a proven fact that Lake Erie is one of the best lakes for Small Mouth Bass in the nation!!///There is very big money in this///some of you people should get the facts straight before you open up your big mouths///Bosco is right he hit the nail right on the head///People will come from all over to go to this store///and spend good money///how many of you so-called no-it-alls have ever been to a bass tournement run locally? or let even stepped one foot into a Bass-Pro...not many///probaly none!!!///I can not see the average shopper at Walmart spending any money besides the gas to get them to Walmart and whatever they buy at Walmart///When the Elite tournement is held in Buffalo these men and women stay at our hotels dine at our restaurants and spend money...good money...some of these mem and women spend over a $100,000 per year on this sport and are sponsored by some of the biggest retailers in the nation///I can just hear the average family now let go to the new Walmart in Downtown Buffalo and we will get a hotel and we will go grab supper will we are shopping//this will never happen with Walmart...but it will happen with Bass-Pro///I have been there..I have done that///So if they don't use the $60 million what will they use it for? you will never know? you will never see that money or hear where it is going///and they bring good paying jobs to Buffalo///world class customer service...service that you don't find at Walmart///so before you open up your big mouths get the facts straight!!!!

[hotcoppers]

buffalodeb wrote:

Well, I guess I am the minority here. I moved back from California after living there 10 years. You people sound all big and calling Buffalo sad etc.. well, let me tell you all something...There is NO where like Bufflo, or thefine people who live here. I am tired of haring people put this area down when there is soo much here. Go to move to the hurricane states, or tornado alley or live on anearthquake fault.. just go and let the rest of enjoy the beauty that WNY offers. Obviously, your too narrow minded and calling names is more important. Yes, there are things that need to be worked on. It can only get better, So EXCUSE ME AS I APPLAUD OF ALL YOU NEGATIVE PEOPLE OUT OF OUR AREA.

Well said///the biggest enemy this area has is most everyone is a no-it-all///always standing in the way of progress///Why don't all of you know-it-alls go and ask the hundreds of people that lost their job at Fisher-Price what they think about Walmart?///Walmart was one of the main reasons that Fisher-Price folded up//Walmart wanted to buy the product at a cheaper price///the workers at Fisher Price were making too much forcing Fisher-price to look else where for workers///I know I would have had 29 years there///I lost my job there because of places like Walmart//so before you give your opinion on sometime do a little research on something and find out the FACTS!!!///some of you people are like the blind leading the blind!!!

[Enough]

hotcoppers wrote:

<quoted text>
You are clueless//it is a proven fact that Lake Erie is one of the best lakes for Small Mouth Bass in the nation!!///There is very big money in this///some of you people should get the facts straight before you open up your big mouths///Bosco is right he hit the nail right on the head///People will come from all over to go to this store///and spend good money///how many of you so-called no-it-alls have ever been to a bass tournement run locally? or let even stepped one foot into a Bass-Pro...not many///probaly none!!!///I can not see the average shopper at Walmart spending any money besides the gas to get them to Walmart and whatever they buy at Walmart///When the Elite tournement is held in Buffalo these men and women stay at our hotels dine at our restaurants and spend money...good money...some of these mem and women spend over a $100,000 per year on this sport and are sponsored by some of the biggest retailers in the nation///I can just hear the average family now let go to the new Walmart in Downtown Buffalo and we will get a hotel and we will go grab supper will we are shopping//this will never happen with Walmart...but it will happen with Bass-Pro///I have been there..I have done that///So if they don't use the $60 million what will they use it for? you will never know? you will never see that money or hear where it is going///and they bring good paying jobs to Buffalo///world class customer service...service that you don't find at Walmart///so before you open up your big mouths get the facts straight!!!!

There's no question we have some of the best fishing in the nation AND there is big money involved.

If this store is going to be such a huge success and people will come from all over, it's a no-brainer for Bass Pro to build it with THEIR OWN MONEY. What do we tell Gander Mountain? How do we explain to a private corporation that the government helped fund their competition?

Let's see... If we don't give $60 million to the bait shop, what else could we possibly spend it on?... Are you for real?? I can think of a HUNDRED different public works projects to spend our tax dollars on. We could start by tearing down the skyway.

Only a retail clerk would call retail jobs at another store "good paying". Or, do you already work for Bass Pro?

[Enough]

hotcoppers wrote:

<quoted text>
Well said///the biggest enemy this area has is most everyone is a no-it-all///always standing in the way of progress///Why don't all of you know-it-alls go and ask the hundreds of people that lost their job at Fisher-Price what they think about Walmart?///Walmart was one of the main reasons that Fisher-Price folded up//Walmart wanted to buy the product at a cheaper price///the workers at Fisher Price were making too much forcing Fisher-price to look else where for workers///I know I would have had 29 years there///I lost my job there because of places like Walmart//so before you give your opinion on sometime do a little research on something and find out the FACTS!!!///some of you people are like the blind leading the blind!!!

So, there aren't any Chinese products at Bass Pro? It's ALL american made?? Walmart is an example of a profitable business that uses it's OWN MONEY to build stores. Sorry you lost your job, but MY tax dollars paying for low-wage retail jobs is not the solution.

[hotcoppers]

Enough wrote:

<quoted text>
So, there aren't any Chinese products at Bass Pro? It's ALL american made?? Walmart is an example of a profitable business that uses it's OWN MONEY to build stores. Sorry you lost your job, but MY tax dollars paying for low-wage retail jobs is not the solution.

Its a start///whens the last time you voiced your opinion on something besides in here///when is the last time you got involved in your community? I have been involved in my community for over 25 years trying to make a difference///I voice my opinions///I give alot of my spare time to my community///alot of ideas///alot of people do not agree with my ideas//and alot of people do///but I get involved///what about that 60 million dollar...they don't spend here they will spend it somewhere else///you speak of it as your tax dollars, they are mine too!!///so say for instance they do not give Bass Pro that 60 million dollars...where is that money going to go to? are you going to get involved and see that it goes to a worthy cause? you signed your name "enough" but when are you GOING to get involved? when are you going to get involved to make a difference? If Bass Pro isn't YOUR answer what is? you never stated what the solution is? its a start...but I know one thing for sure this area has been thru some tough times...alot of money being pumped on projects elsewhere///...its a start///GET INVOLVED...MAKE THAT DIFFERENCE!!!

[Tom Foley Sr]

Bass Pro, Hmmm, When and where is it being built? Sounds like they want a Government hand out for prime waterfront property. We have already handed out Tax money to the Ralph Wilson for "Ralph Wilson Stadium" with no financial benefit to Buffalo. Well, yes it supply's low paying jobs on game days in way over priced concession stands.
Getting back to Bass Pro, it will only supply low paying retail jobs and nothing positive for Buffalo;
further more, do you really think people are going to drive over 100 miles to shop in this store with the price of gas today?
Bass Pro, if you really want to come to Buffalo,YOU pay your own way like other businesses.

[Man with the Yellow Hat]

Can you use FOOD STAMPS at the Bait Store?

[Man with the Yellow Hat]

hotcoppers wrote:

<quoted text>
Well said///the biggest enemy this area has is most everyone is a no-it-all///always standing in the way of progress///Why don't all of you know-it-alls go and ask the hundreds of people that lost their job at Fisher-Price what they think about Walmart?///Walmart was one of the main reasons that Fisher-Price folded up//Walmart wanted to buy the product at a cheaper price///the workers at Fisher Price were making too much forcing Fisher-price to look else where for workers///I know I would have had 29 years there///I lost my job there because of places like Walmart//so before you give your opinion on sometime do a little research on something and find out the FACTS!!!///some of you people are like the blind leading the blind!!!

Fisher-Price didn't "Fold Up" the CEO and 5 VPs took 5 times the salary of all the WNY Employees as a Bonus for sending the jobs to Mexico and China. Pleeease set the record straight. The money that paid salary and benefits to 3000 WNY'ers went into the pockets of 6 nice guys that never lived in WNY.

[hotcoppers]

You should get the record straight. Did you work there I doubt it? I did I saw what went on. I never said that they "folded up". They were one of many places that were forced to take their labor force to countrys like Mexico and China because the of the cheap labor costs, and another thing there was not 3000 WNYers working at Fisher Price not even close, you should get your facts straight and opionons before you voice them in this column...because you ARE the BLIND LEADING THE BLIND!!!!

[JLew]

My sister is the GM of a hotel in Auburn NY. She was there before the Bass Pro was built. And I used to be a truck driver that delieverd to the Sears store where the Bass Pro is located in the Fingerlakes Mall. When I went to that mall in 1999-2001, the Sears was the size of a small old Tops market. The other chains had left, though there was a J.C. Penny catalogue store there.

Now, that Bass Pro has come in, there is a lot more stores in the mall. Because Bass Pro brings in the numbers. First of all, they sell a lot more than just fishing gear. They sell a lot of clothing, shoes, and camping and backyard equipment. They also sell home cooking and canning needs, and even golf equipment. Plus hunting, and archery, and even cookery, and spices. My sister knows a few people that work there, and they make a LOT more than minimum wage. She had a workers of hers who'se husband went and got a job in the gun section and he started out at $14.90 an hour. Even the cashiers she knows make well over minimum wage, and they staff thier stores well.

She says that at least 3 times a week someone comes in to the hotel and asks for directions to the Bass Pro. Now, they have a Target in Auburn.

Why should we get so upset about Bass Pro when compared to the Bills and the Sabres? How much free money have we given Ralph Wilson, and the Knoxes and Gollisano? Didn't we build a stadium for Wilson, and pay for upgrades to it? And Erie County and the City get NOTHING back from them! Save a few good nights at a restaurant after a game. In the case of the Bills, we don't even get a cut of the parking or concessions anymore! All we get is the sales tax on the tickets, for 10 days out of 365 days! Wow, good deal! At least with this deal, we will get sales tax revenue for 365 days per year.

[Man with the Yellow Hat]

JLew wrote:

My sister is the GM of a hotel in Auburn NY. She was there before the Bass Pro was built. And I used to be a truck driver that delieverd to the Sears store where the Bass Pro is located in the Fingerlakes Mall. When I went to that mall in 1999-2001, the Sears was the size of a small old Tops market. The other chains had left, though there was a J.C. Penny catalogue store there.
Now, that Bass Pro has come in, there is a lot more stores in the mall. Because Bass Pro brings in the numbers. First of all, they sell a lot more than just fishing gear. They sell a lot of clothing, shoes, and camping and backyard equipment. They also sell home cooking and canning needs, and even golf equipment. Plus hunting, and archery, and even cookery, and spices. My sister knows a few people that work there, and they make a LOT more than minimum wage. She had a workers of hers who'se husband went and got a job in the gun section and he started out at $14.90 an hour. Even the cashiers she knows make well over minimum wage, and they staff thier stores well.
She says that at least 3 times a week someone comes in to the hotel and asks for directions to the Bass Pro. Now, they have a Target in Auburn.
Why should we get so upset about Bass Pro when compared to the Bills and the Sabres? How much free money have we given Ralph Wilson, and the Knoxes and Gollisano? Didn't we build a stadium for Wilson, and pay for upgrades to it? And Erie County and the City get NOTHING back from them! Save a few good nights at a restaurant after a game. In the case of the Bills, we don't even get a cut of the parking or concessions anymore! All we get is the sales tax on the tickets, for 10 days out of 365 days! Wow, good deal! At least with this deal, we will get sales tax revenue for 365 days per year.

How many more residents do they have at the Penitentiary? They have seen some expansion too.

[JLew]

Yeah, but they don't get to go to Bass Pro.

[Memphis]

Some CEO wrote:

Why are we still talking Bass Pro?

Same questions in memphis TN.... Someone please call down here and tell this story to our people... we have been listening to an identical ploy from BPS for about 3 yrs... and we have had 2-3 good ideas presented to the same place they are talking of using.... it's a JOKE

[lostlure]

I dont live anywhere near your dump of a city but I cant freekin wait for BPS to open! Im so exighted about it I can hardly wait. As for Sean. Get the heck out of town if you dont like it and you are not capable of making it better. They are probably glad to see you go. ADIOS! Im coming to BPS every chance I get, whether you folks who whine and cry and sit on your computers and tell the world all about it.....Like it or not. BPS is a fine store and opens up other doors in the local business community... Walk through them.