Last modified: Thursday, November 15, 2007 1:07 AM EST Shoppers enter the Bass Pro Shop at Patriot Place in Foxboro on Wednesday. (Staff photo by MARTIN GAVIN) The great indoors BY MICHAEL GELBWASSER SUN CHRONICLE STAFF FOXBORO - Meat doesn't grow on trees, as some people learned at the region's newest outdoor retailer Wednesday night. Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World's first New England superstore, at Patriot Place on Route 1, drew thousands of outdoors enthusiasts for a special "Evening of Conservation," a three-hour, star-studded preview celebration and education program. Several local and state environmental groups such as the Neponset River Watershed Association and the Massachusetts Association of Campground Owners had tables on the lower level, where they provided brochures and sold food, drinks and raffle tickets. And for every $1 spent Wednesday night, Bass Pro donated 50 cents to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's "More Fish" campaign to save fish and their habitats. Fall River resident Keith Morango said the information tables were valuable to shoppers, even though "it's all stuff I already know." "It really makes them aware more," Morango said. "A lot of people don't realize what's out there. They think meat grows on trees." Bass Pro is considered among the signature tenants for Patriot Place, the Kraft Group's 1.3-million-square-foot commercial development next to Gillette Stadium. Bass Pro Shops alone draw shoppers from a 500- to 600-mile radius and for an average stay of about six hours, a Kraft official said recently. The store's grand opening is this morning. Wednesday night's event bought environmental groups free publicity. The campground owners association, for example, urged people to support a bill to protect family camping in Massachusetts. "When you think about hunting and fishing, what naturally comes next? Camping," said Jack Carroll, an association executive director. "This will get our group out there." Agawam resident Ben Auld checked out the tables offering fishing information. He also snared a big one: "I just got Bob Kraft's autograph on my football." "I'm loving it!" Auld said of the store. Neponset River Watershed Association environmental scientist Bill Guenther said a number of shoppers didn't realize that the Neponset was in Foxboro. "Where we are now, we're actually in the habitat of the watershed," he said. His group had a map of the watershed. And a ballot box asking people to vote to restore 17 miles of habitat to restore fish to the river. "People have been really supportive," Guenther said. Despite standing in line for 30 minutes or more just to get inside - and another 10 minutes to get downstairs - some people couldn't wait to come back. "Is this place open 24-7?" one guy asked while walking to his car. MICHAEL GELBWASSER can be reached at 508-236-0439 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.