Bass Pro to anchor KC mall

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A foundering Kansas City shopping mall is counting on sporting goods giant Bass Pro Shops to reel in new customers.

The 21-year-old Bannister Mall, hurt in recent years by stiff competition and a poor public image, is being transformed into a bright, history-themed mall and renamed Three Trails Center.

The project will be anchored by a 160,000-square-foot Outdoor World store chock-full of fishing, hunting, camping, boating and other outdoor sports gear.

The mall is betting $51 million that Bass Pro Shops will make a huge splash in the market and chase away perception problems.