The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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September 3, 2008

Wally Kennedy: New store boasts 500 wine labels

There’s so much happening right now along Range Line Road and at Northpark Mall that I’m going to have to give it to you in what we in the newsroom call “bullets.” In a bullet, you get the high points but not much else.

First, there’s a new tenant in Oakland Plaza, near Zora Street and Range Line Road, that’s going to give local vendors of wine and spirits a run for the money with competitive pricing.

Mark Lovelady has opened Unique, 2609 N. Range Line Road, a purveyor of more than 500 wine labels. He has one of the largest selections of microbrew and craft beers in the area.

“If we don’t have the wine label they want, we can have whatever they want in a couple of days,” he said. “Our selection of craft beers has gone over real well.”

The store, which has a drive-through window, features wine, beer and liquor tastings daily. If you buy a lot, the staff will help you carry it to your car. When is the last time you saw someone do that for a customer?

Right now, you can get a free bag of ice with a beer purchase.

The interesting thing about Lovelady is that he was general manager for eight years of the Macadoodle’s at the state line in McDonald County.

Macadoodle’s, which is building a new storefront in 1717 Marketplace, already is facing some stiff competition from someone who knows the business, and it hasn’t even opened yet. Could this lead to a price war? We can only hope so.

Real wood

Wood You, a store specializing in all kinds of unfinished furniture in all kinds of wood, opened on Labor Day in the former Dream Sleep storefront at 515 N. Range Line Road.

Joey McCaig, owner of the business, said the store will feature unfinished bedroom suites, entertainment centers, kitchen items, bar stools, bookcases, desks and children’s furniture in pine, oak, aspen and birch at competitive prices.

“It’s all real wood — no particle board,” said McCaig, who used to manage the Wood You store in Springfield. “You can stain it or paint it, and we can have it done for you to match furniture you already have.”

Details: (417) 623-WOOD or <b.www.woodyou.com.>

Wood You Furniture started with one store, a family operation, in 1977 at Jacksonville, Fla. Wood You now is the largest ready-to-finish company in the United States.

Spooky stuff

Halloween Express has opened in the former Cosmic Mini Golf storefront near the main entrance to Northpark Mall.

The store will be open through Nov. 1. It will specialize in all things related to Halloween, which has become one of the biggest holidays of the year in terms of retail sales.

I am told by someone in the know that the retail numbers for Halloween in recent years have become “huuuuge!”

Good causes

Registration for the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk will take place at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the food court at Northpark Mall. The walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and money for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

The walk is being held inside the mall. That’s being done because the walk has been rained out for the past three years. Smart move. Details: (417) 623-4788.

Also happening this weekend at the mall is the “Miracle Market,” a fund-raising event for the Children’s Miracle Network. It will be held Friday and Saturday in the J.C. Penney court.

What you will find is a unique collection of specialty gifts and handcrafted items, such as pottery, custom jewelry and scrapbooking items. More than 30 local vendors will be featured. Details: (417) 347-6639.



If you have news about something happening on Range Line Road, dial (417) 623-3480, ext. 7250; or send an e-mail to wkennedy@joplinglobe.com; or send a fax to Wally Kennedy at (417) 623-8598.

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