Not being into sports or camping or the like, I'm curious as to what the big deal is about Bass Pro shops. I know they're big and everything, but it seems like it's a huge status symbol for a city to have one.

To wit: for well over a year, the Buffalo news stations have been going on and on (and on and on) about their possible Bass Pro store. "Do we have it" "we might have it" "things are being planned" "hopefully by 2007" "a spokesman from Bass Pro says..." "the mayor is optimistic".

It seems to be mentioned at least once every other week as a headline story, and for some weeks it's the top story every day (even though there is still nothing concrete).

So, what's the big deal?