SHARE

Crowds Hunt Out Grand Opening Of Connecticut's First Bass Pro Shop

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Thousands of hunting, fishing and outdoor aficionados have found a new heaven in Bridgeport. 

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch (right, holding the ribbon) and other dignitaries and officials officially open the new Bass Pro Shop.

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch (right, holding the ribbon) and other dignitaries and officials officially open the new Bass Pro Shop.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Huge crowds turn out for Wednesday's Grand Opening of Bridgeport's Bass Pro Shop.

Huge crowds turn out for Wednesday's Grand Opening of Bridgeport's Bass Pro Shop.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
A family poses with a stuffed bear at Bass Pro.

A family poses with a stuffed bear at Bass Pro.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Mayor Bill Finch has a little fun at the ribbon cutting.

Mayor Bill Finch has a little fun at the ribbon cutting.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Former Yankee and Red Sox baseball player Johnny Damon is one of several pro athletes at Wednesday's Grand Opening.

Former Yankee and Red Sox baseball player Johnny Damon is one of several pro athletes at Wednesday's Grand Opening.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
People pour into the new Bass Pro Shop at Wednesday's Grand Opening.

People pour into the new Bass Pro Shop at Wednesday's Grand Opening.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Bass Pro Shop workers pose for a pic.

Bass Pro Shop workers pose for a pic.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch welcomes the crowd to the Grand Opening.

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch welcomes the crowd to the Grand Opening.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Kids pose with a mascot at the Grand Opening.

Kids pose with a mascot at the Grand Opening.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
From left: Lydia Martinez, Mayor Bill Finch and his wife, Sonja, Tom McCarthy, Aidee Nieves, Michelle Lyons at Wednesday's Grand Opening.

From left: Lydia Martinez, Mayor Bill Finch and his wife, Sonja, Tom McCarthy, Aidee Nieves, Michelle Lyons at Wednesday's Grand Opening.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Inside the new Bass Pro Shop.

Inside the new Bass Pro Shop.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Pro athletes, including World Series Champ Johnny Damon (second from left) sign autographs at the Bass Pro Grand Opening.

Pro athletes, including World Series Champ Johnny Damon (second from left) sign autographs at the Bass Pro Grand Opening.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
A boy holds up a toy he'd love to see under the Christmas Tree.

A boy holds up a toy he'd love to see under the Christmas Tree.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Shoppers enjoy the large aquarium at Bass Pro.

Shoppers enjoy the large aquarium at Bass Pro.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Kids in the camping section of the store.

Kids in the camping section of the store.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The Wildlife Artists group is on hand to welcome Bass Pro Shops.

The Wildlife Artists group is on hand to welcome Bass Pro Shops.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Two sisters check out the toys at Bass Pro.

Two sisters check out the toys at Bass Pro.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Fudge is among the hot sellers at Wednesday's Grand Opening.

Fudge is among the hot sellers at Wednesday's Grand Opening.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Santa and Mrs. Claus are on hand to greet children.

Santa and Mrs. Claus are on hand to greet children.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
A young family takes a selfie at Bass Pro's Grand Opening.

A young family takes a selfie at Bass Pro's Grand Opening.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
A boy takes control of a toy train at Bass Pro.

A boy takes control of a toy train at Bass Pro.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
A family enjoys the Fish Bowl bowling alley at Bass Pro.

A family enjoys the Fish Bowl bowling alley at Bass Pro.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The bar area at the Fish Bowl at Bass Pro.

The bar area at the Fish Bowl at Bass Pro.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Lanes are designed to appear as if they're underwater at Bass Pro's Fish Bowl.

Lanes are designed to appear as if they're underwater at Bass Pro's Fish Bowl.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Bridgeport Police on horseback outside Wedesday's Grand Opening.

Bridgeport Police on horseback outside Wedesday's Grand Opening.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman

They celebrated Wednesday evening as the ribbon was cut and the Bass Pro Shop officially opened at the city's Steelpointe Harbor development. 

It is the first location for the outdoor superstore in Connecticut. It joins Starbucks and Chipotle as open for business at the new waterfront development.

“The opening of Bass Pro Shops is truly a sign that, on my watch, Bridgeport is getting better every day,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “And, it’s one of many signs that my vision – our vision – for our city and its future is taking shape.”

He also noted that businesses opening at Steelpointe Harbor, reopening and revitalizing Pleasure Beach, improving a long-neglected downtown, creating green jobs at Eco-Technology Park, and investing in a second train station are key examples of the progress made during his tenure as mayor.

“These are just some of the many projects that are moving our city forward,” said Finch.

Other businesses scheduled to open at Steelpointe Harbor are T-Mobile, Cinépolis Movie Theater, and Hilton’s Hampton Inn.

Developing the waterfront at Steel Point, which is a peninsula off the Long Island Sound that is now home to Steelpointe Harbor, has been more than 30 years in the making.

to follow Daily Voice Wilton and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE