Festivities celebrating the opening of Little Rock's new Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World don't start until 6 p.m., but already Wednesday morning a small crowd was gathered on the sidewalk out front.
First in line was Bobby Ballew, a 37-year-old Bossier City, La., man who arrived about 6 a.m. with his 5-year-old son.
Ballew likes Bass Pro, though he decided to wait a full 12 hours in temperatures that dipped below freezing because the Evening for Conservation festivities include a chance to meet and get autographs from NASCAR driver Tony Stewart.
"I'm just a big NASCAR fan," Ballew said as he waited shortly after 10 a.m. "I've met him before, but I have no problem driving to meet him again. He's worth the while."
Also camped out front for the same reason was Karline Elder, 61, of Blytheville. She arrived about 9 a.m., checking in with others already there to make sure she'd be one of the first and assured a chance of meeting Stewart.
But, Elder said, the store is also a draw.
"I'm glad Arkansas is getting a Bass Pro Shop because there's a lot of stuff in there I like to buy," she said. "Now I don't have to go to Missouri."
The parking lot was busy with activity as workers readied for the grand opening. Meanwhile, a steady stream of curious customers approached the front of the store, wondering what it looked like or checking to see what time it would be open. Some whipped out their phones and took photos from the parking lot.
Among those that stopped by were Dalton and Sue Higgins of De Queen, who were in town for an appointment Wednesday morning and were hoping the new store was already open. They settled for a peek in the front window and the promise of a return trip next time they visit.
The couple said they've driven to Springfield, Mo., for the day before just to go to the Bass Pro there.
"I just love to go there," Sue Higgins said. "We even saw a real reindeer at Christmas once."
The festivities tonight begin at 6 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting and the store is set to open for the first time for shoppers at 6:30 p.m. and stay open till 9 p.m. A portion of proceeds from Wednesday night sales go to the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation.
The formal grand opening is set for Thursday with the store open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. that day.
The store is located at 1 Bass Pro Drive in the Gateway Town Center off Interstate 30 west of the 430 interchange.