JOPLIN, Mo. —
Sometimes, what you hope will happen doesn’t always come through for you.
Several weeks back, I reported that a major restaurant chain was looking at the property directly south of the new Taco Bell restaurant at the southeast corner of 26th and Main streets.
That restaurant chain was Braum’s, which also sells groceries with a large concentration on dairy products. But a deal on the land did not happen. There were problems associated with the relocation of electrical lines at that site.
This is a real disappointment for the residents in that area because there are only a handful of places where you can buy staples such as milk and other dairy products in that area of town.
There is no question that a Braum’s at that location would have been a successful venture. But all is not lost. Braum’s is still looking for a site. Let’s hope it finds one near that area, and sooner than later.
But keep an eye on the property just south of the Taco Bell site for some activity soon.
Southtown property
The property where Southtown Sporting Goods operated could be redeveloped into a single-tenant building or a small strip center.
Charlie Kuehn, with Four State Homes, said engineering plans for the construction project are being put together. He said talks are under way with a single tenant. If that does not happen, a small strip center with multiple tenants could be built.
Four State Homes has other projects in the works along that part of Main Street and farther north.
Oktoberfest
It’s that time of year again when Joplin celebrates its German heritage.
Oktoberfest will take place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday in the 200 and 300 blocks of South Main Street. Admission is free, but a $2 donation is suggested.
It includes a Kids’ Fall Fest that will feature inflatables, carnival games, a train ride and entertainment in “Kinderdorf,’’ a children’s village. In the “Weisn’’ marketplace, holiday crafts by local artists and businesses will be featured.
Family entertainment will include a hot dog contest, sponsored by Sonic Drive-In, a pet-costume contest and a yodeling contest. Performers include the Route 66 Cloggers, Karen’s Dance Studio, The Flip Shop and YEA Foundation, with a BMX and skate exhibition.
The Missouri Restaurant Association and Heart of America Beverage Co. will hold an outdoor “Biergarten.’’ Fifty percent of the beer sales will fund scholarships for high school students to attend culinary school.
Openings
A shop called $1 Jewelry Galore has opened between SportClips and Buffalo Wild Wings in North Park Crossing.
The shop features an assortment of jewelry, purses, wallets, sunglasses, hats and hair accessories. Check out how the owner of the shop incorporated the design features of the Pink Swirls yogurt shop that had existed there before.
Before the tornado, $1 Jewelry Galore had operated in a storefront at 15th Street and Range Line Road.
Also opening is the Spirit Halloween Store at 515 N. Range Line. The shop is north of the Tokyo Japanese Steak House. It’s loaded with masks, costumes, wigs, giant spiders and tombstones.
And last, but not least, Ross Dress for Less opened on Saturday in the former Hastings storefront in NorthPoint Shopping Center.
Oops!
I messed up a couple of weeks ago when I failed to reiterate that Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts was having its grand reopening in the former space occupied by Old Navy at Northpark Mall.
Back in mid-August, I reported that Old Navy had moved to the storefront that had housed Tilt, the arcade, and that Jo-Ann Fabrics had relocated to the spot that Old Navy occupied. Jo-Ann Fabrics had been in the Bel-Aire Shopping Center at 20th Street and Range Line, which was blown away by the tornado.
I got a call from a polite but firm woman in Parsons, Kan., who said the grand reopening was important to her because Jo-Ann Fabrics was the closest place to Parsons where a quilter could find the quality thread that is needed for quilting.
She said: “I drive 60 minutes to Joplin to get a quality thread. Some places only have a few choices. They have lots of colors. It’s like a candy shop for sewers.’’
Note to self: The last thing you want to do is get a bunch of seamstresses riled up. They have needles and scissors, and they know how to use them.
If you have news about something that’s happening on Range Line Road or Main Street, phone 623-3480, ext. 7250; send an email to wkennedy@joplinglobe.com; or send a fax to Wally Kennedy at 623-8598.
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