July 14, 2008 12:16 pm
—
Dryer’s Shoes should open today in its new storefront in the Bel-Aire Center at 20th Street and Range Line Road. But look for the store’s new name, The Right Shoe.
Michael White, the owner, said the new name reflects the store’s attitude about selling shoes as “we only want to sell the right shoe to our customers. We are even more committed to serving our customers with high-quality merchandise and the most caring customer service.”
It’s that attitude that made Dryer’s Shoes a mainstay at Northpark Mall for 22 years. The store’s final day at the mall was June 30. Over the past two weeks, the new store has been stocked with more than 5,000 pairs of new fall shoes.
The new store will have 75 percent more space than the mall store did. Because of that, the store has been able to add some new product lines, including Hush Puppies, Softt, MBT and Drew Orthopedic. The store also will carry many sizes and widths that you can’t find elsewhere.
Of course, a big plus for the new store is the front-door parking offered at the Bel-Aire.
But there’s more to the name change. White intends to launch an online store next year. The new name will appeal to a broader online audience.
This is an example of how one door closes for a small retailer and an even bigger door opens.
Sidewalk sale
The summer sidewalk sale at Northpark Mall will take place Friday through Sunday.
Retailers are making it easy again this year. The best bargains will be at the front of the stores. Regardless of the weather, the deals will be worth shopping from one end of the mall to the other in a temperature-controlled environment.
Speaking of the mall, a new tenant, “Polly Pineapple and Popcorn Too,” has opened. Ron Smith is the local operator.
The shop, which is in front of For-All Bible, offers fresh popcorn, soft drinks and a special blend of pineapple whip. And coming soon on the menu — glazed and roasted nuts.
New hotel?
That’s the word on the street from people in the know about these things.
The new hotel will be an upscale affair, offering studio, and one- and two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens. The construction site, of course, will be in the hotel district along South Range Line Road not far from the Comfort Inn.
This hotel will offer a complimentary breakfast buffet that includes Wolfgang Puck Coffee. It also will have a 24-hour convenience store with snacks, beverages and easy-to-prepare meals.
Joplin has approximately 23 hotels with 2,011 rooms. With the opening of the Downstream Casino only 10 minutes west of Joplin on Interstate 44, it should come as no surprise to anyone that fancy hotel chains are looking at the Joplin market. This is just the beginning of the market changes that will come — recession of not.
Stay tuned, details to come.
If you have news about something that’s happening on Range Line Road, dial 623-3480, ext. 7250; or send an e-mail to wkennedy@joplinglobe.com; or send a fax to Wally Kennedy at 623-8598.
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.
Photos
Wally Kennedy