DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bass Pro Shops will be opening its doors, right in time for race fans.
"We've spent a lot of time cleaning, stocking, signing, tagging,” Bass Pro Shops General Manager Todd Blanchard said. “All the stuff that goes into putting a retail store together."
News 6 got an inside look at the store before the Evening of Conservation event, a kickoff to its grand opening, which is less than a month away.
The sporting goods store features decorated hand-painted murals of local areas, and a replica of a Florida sinkhole that's in the middle of a 12,000-gallon aquarium. The tank will be filled with fresh and saltwater fish.
It is the first major retail store that will be open in time for Speedweeks and the Daytona 500.
"I think the timing is critical for us just being the partners that we are with NASCAR. I think being out of the gate quicker will help us in the long run," Blanchard said.
Bass Pro Shops is the second major project to open, right behind the Cobb Daytona Luxury Movie Theatre, all part of the One Daytona development.
"This is something that we're building, that is different, unique and really becomes a destination for Daytona Beach and the Volusia County area. It's going to attract people from all over," International Speedway Corp. Executive Vice President Craig Neeb said.
The almost $200 million development will include retail and dining options, two hotels and residential areas that are expected to be finished by summer 2018.
"There are a lot of exciting things that people are going to come here, spend their evenings here, spend hours here. It's just going to be a place that is really going to draw the community into," Neeb said.
The Bass Pro Shops grand opening is Feb.16 from 6-9p.m. The store officially opens Feb. 17.