Bass Pro is gone.

Now the question is: Who are the other anchor tenants that Benderson Development Co. is courting to serve as Canal Side's retail bright light?

Canal Side needs that one major retailer - or restaurant or entertainment venue - to attract large crowds to the downtown development; that's a given. For all its characteristics, the project still needs a hook that will bring people there, regardless of the time of year.

Attracting crowds to lower Main Street's waterfront in June and July is a lot easier than in January and February.

Benderson Development has begun a full-court press to find a replacement anchor for Canal Side - one that may use 100,000 square feet or more, if it is a store. A restaurant or entertainment venue may require less square footage but still needs to pack a punch.

For now, Benderson and Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. are tight-lipped about their quest for a new anchor.

"The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. is in the process of looking at alternatives that will allow us to build on the successes that we have already achieved in the Inner Harbor, and we will be coming forward with proposals in a few weeks," said Erich Weyant, spokesman.

"As to questions about particular tenants, it is the policy of ECHDC, as a subsidiary of the Empire State Development Corp., not to discuss negotiations in public," he said.

Here's a list of retailers that could potentially open a location in Canal Side:

Ikea

This seems to be everyone's first choice to fill the Bass Pro void. The catch is the upscale furniture store has little interest in coming to Western New York, much less downtown Buffalo. (Sorry to be blunt.)

"Why would we want to come to Buffalo?" a spokesman said. "We already get your business from our Toronto store."

Crate & Barrel

Another tony furniture and furnishings retailer. And an interesting possibility.

The chain is moving ahead with a limited number of new stores, but none near Buffalo.

Crate & Barrel is due to open this fall in Pittsburgh's Ross Park Mall. Further expansion in the Northeast is a strong possibility.

Nordstrom

The popular department store chain is beginning to scout what it considers virgin territory for new locations.

Company officials declined to comment on what cities are being considered. But industry sources said Buffalo's on the radar screen.

Nordstrom has several downstate locations - all in the New York City/Long Island area. It also operates in Pittsburgh's Ross Park Mall.

If not Canal Side, don't discount Nordstrom opening in one of this area's major suburban shopping centers.

Apple

Apple has a busy store in Walden Galleria and could be a Canal Side candidate, but not as a 100,000-square-foot anchor. Most of its stores run 5,000 to 10,000 square feet.

Another factor: A second location in Western New York may be one too many for Apple.

Even with a heavy influx of Canadian shoppers - they represent 40 percent or more on weekends and holidays - the Buffalo market is really a single Apple outlet, especially since many of its products can be bought at places such as Best Buy.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

It's a safe bet that Five Guys will land in Western New York.

Chances are the company will open something in the suburbs first, but don't discount Benderson Development working out a deal to bring a location to Canal Side.

The developer already has a working relationship with the Five Guys franchisee Upstate.