Unique Outdoor Store Opens amid Large Crowds of Eager Shoppers
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Colonial Properties
Trust (NYSE: CLP) announced the successful grand opening of Bass Pro Shops at
the Colonial Mall Myrtle Beach in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The grand
opening included a ribbon cutting ceremony attend by the local Chamber of
Commerce, government officials and a large crowd of shoppers. Bass Pro Shops
joins existing anchor Belk who operates two stores totaling 118,855 square-
feet in the 487,000 square-foot mall.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030709/CLPLOGO-c )
"The grand opening, which was marked by a fund raising event, 'An Evening
for Conservation' was successful not only for Bass Pro but for all of the
mall's retailers," stated Charles Light, EVP of the Retail Division for
Colonial Properties Trust. "Since Bass Pro's opening, Colonial Mall Myrtle
Beach has experienced a significant increase in mall traffic prompting store
managers to report dramatic increases in sales. Bass Pro also reported that
their original sales projections were surpassed."
Located at U.S. Highway 17 and Kings Highway at Colonial Mall Myrtle
Beach, this 102,000 square-foot sportsman's paradise lives up to its claim of
bringing the outdoors, indoors. A special feature is the 11,000 gallon
saltwater aquarium that treats viewers to a colorful scene of spade fish,
black drum, redfish, jack crevalle, red grouper and a host of other fish
native to South Carolina waters. A nearly 10,000 square-foot Islamorada Fish
Company Restaurant, another Bass Pro Shops operation, will also be located in
the store and will open in late October. The restaurant will offer an
exterior canopy for dining and include a bar, saltwater aquarium, sushi bar
and see-thru fireplace, surrounded by water.
Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World shoppers can browse a comprehensive
collection of outdoor gear that will complement the Grand Strand's rich
outdoor opportunities. The area's largest selection of fishing, nature, and
marine items will be featured along with a full line of Tracker(R) and
Nitro(R) boats, America's number one aluminum and fiberglass fishing boats,
which will be displayed in the store's 7,000 square-foot boating center.
Other departments offer an impressive array of camping, archery, hunting,
clothing and footwear items as well as a 25-yard archery range perfect for
product testing and a bow repair shop.
Of special interest to local racing enthusiasts will be a NASCAR(R)
department with lots of memorabilia, commemorative hats and licensed clothing.
A NASCAR(R) simulator will provide hours of fun for adults and children alike.
Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World will staff approximately 250 associates from
the Coastal Region area that have a passion for the outdoors so customers will
be assured of getting local skilled, knowledgeable assistance with product
selection and questions. The store will also offer Outdoor Skills Workshops
for adults, children and families that will help maximize outdoor fun by
teaching new skills and improving existing ones.
"The addition of Bass Pro as anchor coincides with a major remodeling of
the interior of the mall as well as a retailer-initiated re-merchandising of
the mall shops," explained Tom Lowder, Chief Executive Officer, Colonial
Properties Trust. "Together, these improvements will further cement Colonial
Mall's position as the retail location of choice in the area." Included in the
re-merchandising are the expansion of American Eagle and the recent addition
of Wild West and a 15,000 square-foot Books-A-Million which will open in
November.
About Bass Pro Outdoors
Bass Pro Shops, with headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, currently has
22 locations across the United States and attracts some 60 million visitors a
year. Other stores scheduled to open this year include Las Vegas, NV;
Toronto, Canada; and Harrisburg, PA. More locations are planned for 2005 and
2006. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops store locations, products
or special events, please visit basspro.com.
About Colonial Properties Trust
Colonial Properties Trust is a diversified REIT that, through its
subsidiaries, owns a portfolio of multifamily, office and retail properties
where you live, work and shop in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Colonial Properties
Trust performs development, acquisition, management, leasing and brokerage
services for its portfolio and properties owned by third parties. Colonial
Properties Trust is a diversified REIT, which has a total market
capitalization of $3.4 billion. The cornerstone of Colonial Properties'
success is its live, work and shop diversified investment strategy. The
Company manages or leases 22,400 apartment units, 6.8 million square-feet of
office space and 15.7 million square-feet of retail shopping space.
Additional information on Colonial Properties Trust is available on the
Internet at http://www.colonialprop.com . The Company, headquartered in
Birmingham, Ala., is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
"CLP" and is included in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index.
SOURCE Colonial Properties Trust
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Related links:
http://www.colonialprop.com
http://www.basspro.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030709/CLPLOGO-c
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Sandra Lee Robertson, Senior Vice President -
Finance of Colonial Properties Trust, +1-205-250-8788
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