More than 1,000 seek Bass Pro jobs in E. Peoria

EAST PEORIA — More than 1,000 people waited up to two hours each to interview at a job fair for a new Bass Pro Shops outdoors store about to open in east Peoria.

The company held the job fair Monday as it tries to find 350 to 375 employees for the new store.

General manager Jim Goff tells The Journal-Star newspaper in Peoria the store is scheduled to open in September.

Goff says the Missouri-based chain is looking for people who are passionate about the outdoors.

Many of those waiting to apply Monday said they were there because they either don't have jobs or have only part-time jobs.

Jeremy DeLorme of Peoria says he hasn't had a job in more than a year.