The Arby’s restaurant at 2130 S. Range Line Road will soon be the last standing remnant of the May 22 tornado on Range Line.

A small shopping center at the northeast corner of 15th Street and Range Line is coming down. Something new is going there.

The status of the Arby’s property is not clear. Repeated telephone calls to the owner of the property in Louisiana have not been returned.

I’ve had a couple of telephone calls from people who have rebuilt their homes in that area. They turn west on 21st Street from Range Line to get to their homes. They frequently drive by this reminder of one of the worst days of their lives. They don’t like it.

Their only consolation is knowing that it’s just a matter of time before it comes down. I have good news to report. The city is preparing to issue an order to have it demolished. In fact, it almost happened last week. It might be weeks from now, even months from now, but it will come down.

Demolition orders were issued last week for structures on South Jackson Avenue that have been involved in insurance-related battles.

On the upside, the fact that the Arby’s is the last-standing eyesore on Range Line shows how far we have come in less than a year. The same is true for South Main Street. It’s a remarkable achievement.



 Openings

Three new businesses have opened on Main Street.

Cooper’s 66, a coffee shop with a menu that features smoked meats, salads, pizza, pasta and sandwiches, has opened in a storefront at 124 S. Main St.

This family-owned restaurant is being operated by Fran Spencer and her brother, Max. For the time being, hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. That will change when the restaurant obtains a liquor license.

The menu, for now, is small, but daily specials feature items like barbecue chicken pizza with a Cobb salad. Their chicken salad sandwich with pecans and berries is a staple.

The restaurant has a full-on coffee shop. You can also get frozen fruit smoothies and Italian cream sodas.

“We are in our infancy,’’ said Fran, which suggests this restaurant could evolve to fill a niche in downtown Joplin.

Spencer has already identified her target market: women who work downtown who want a fast but tasty lunch that is reasonable in price.

Hog Wild Detail has opened in a former service station at the southeast corner of Eighth and Main streets. This, too, is a small, family-owned business.

Fred Willis, the owner, said the shop details motorcycles, cars, vans and trucks. Hog Wild Detail has been in business in Joplin for a number of years, but at different locations.

A full detail costs about $80 and usually involves the shampooing of carpets and seats, a hand wash, and a hand wax with quality products.

It can take a few hours. A quick detail costs about $30 and usually involves a wash and vacuuming. It can take 30 minutes. The shop has a customer-waiting area for those who can wait while their vehicles get a quick detail.

They also “clean and dress’’ vinyl and leather, and do wheels. To make an appointment, one may call 206-2295. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Also opening is The Funky Crow in a building at Trade-X Sales, 5171 N. Main St. It specializes in home decor and furniture.

Debbie Balestrin, the owner, said the shop features all types of decor, ranging from children’s decor to primitives and shabby chic. You can also find retro and modern items there.

Balestrin goes to auctions to find unusual furniture pieces. She also builds her own furniture and does personalized signs. Her work has been featured in Country Living Magazine.

Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.



 Cupcake power

Want to help someone rebuild a home? Buy a cupcake.

Smallcakes: A Cupcakery-Joplin has partnered with Rebuild Joplin to sell a special cupcake called “The Rebuild.’’ The cupcake will be sold for $3 each through May 31. Seventy-five cents of each cupcake goes to Rebuild Joplin.

Deanna Johnson, owner of Smallcakes in the Chase-Colton Plaza, 420 N. Range Line Road, said 605 of the cupcakes have been sold since the beginning of May. Five corporate stores also are selling The Rebuild to help Joplin.

“The cupcake is a marble cake, with a fudge cream center, fudge icing, butter-cream icing and Candy House dark chocolate shaved on top,’’ she said.

Hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.



 Reminder

Seneca native Erica Tremblay will debut her film, “Heartland,’’ about the Joplin tornado, at 4 p.m. Saturday at Central Christian Center, 415 S. Main St. Doors open at 3 p.m. The event is free.



If you have news about something that’s happening on Range Line Road or Main Street, call 623-3480, ext. 7250; or send an email to wkennedy@joplinglobe.com; or send a fax to Wally Kennedy at 623-8598.