The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Business

Discussion

February 14, 2007

Steve & Barry’s to occupy Montgomery Ward space

By Melissa Dunson

mdunson@joplinglobe.com

A new clothing store is coming to town.

Northpark Mall announced Wednesday that Steve & Barry’s will occupy 64,000 square feet of the old Montgomery Ward space and probably will open late this summer.

The company has 187 stores in 33 states. The Northpark Mall location will be the sixth Steve & Barry’s Missouri store, with other locations in Springfield, Hannibal, St. Ann, Kansas City and Cape Girardeau. In 2006, the company opened 77 stores across the nation.

Jay Kim, Steve & Barry’s spokeswoman, said the store offers apparel for men, women and children, with most items costing about $10. She said the most expensive item is the Starbury One, a basketball sneaker that professional basketball player Stephon Marbury developed and wears on the NBA courts. Steve & Barry’s sells the shoes for $14.98.

Kim said the store can sell everything from business casual to gym clothes at a low price because Steve & Barry’s trims any unnecessary costs and passes the savings on to the customer. “It’s really sending a message not just to our customers but also other stores that high quality doesn’t have to mean you have to pay high prices,” Kim said.

Kim said the store is coming to Joplin because area consumers asked for a location in town through e-mails, phone calls and letters.

The store will hire about 100 full- and part-time employees from the area and probably will stage a job fair closer to the opening date.

Lori Jones, marketing director for Northpark Mall, said Steve & Barry’s will add an increased energy to the north end of the mall that has been lacking since anchor store Montgomery Ward and Co. left several years ago. She said filling the vacancy will help her bring in more retailers.

“Businesses always want to know what’s your occupancy rate, and this will take us from a 77 percent up to an 80 percent,” Jones said. “That’s like going from a mid-C to a B-plus.”

Jones said she thinks the store’s low prices and the men’s and children’s apparel will be a big hit in the Joplin area because shopping will be more economical for families with multiple children. She said Steve & Barry’s is working with local schools on licensing agreements to sell clothing featuring area school mascots.

Melissa Dunson is the business writer for The Joplin Globe.

Text Only
Business