Noticed on my trip to Branson last week work still progresses on the clean up to the tornado in the spring. Branson Heights shopping center is gone! Concrete slabs, some gravel, some weeds, and some real estate signs are all that are left. Noticed Starvin' Marvin's was open again, Ozarkland still wasted...although most debris is cleaned up. Went on top of Mount Branson, and that trailer park neighborhood the tourists don't see is still a disaster zone...debris and torn up mobile homes all over the place. Some work has been done at Candlestick Inn, but not much. The broken windows at the Hilton are repaired, things downtown look good. Anyone else have some tornado recovery information?
I have been reading the Independent (small newspaper we have here in the lobby) and they have mentioned those that are going to rebuild now that the "insurance" issues have been resolved. There are still plenty of businesses that are still in litigation or other processes. Due to the new "look" they have planned for 76, a lot of the businesses that are going to rebuild have to fit into those "guidelines". The Ozark Mtn Inn will not be rebuilt, the Riverboat Motel, Jubilee, Angler's Block, Auto Museum, Branson Heights will be rebuilding so hopefully soon will see some progress. Those are the only places at this time for sure. According to some of the locals I've been talking too, others are planning on rebuilding as well but not sure of status on those at this time.
So, what is the new look for 76 strip? That sounds interesting, a friend and I were just talking the other day about how worn out and run down the strip was starting to look. She mentioned that they needed to reinvent it. Looks like there may be plans for this. I hope so.
Hopefully the "new look" involves some true urban planning for once with thought given to future transportation expansion. I'm encouraged that all those businesses are rebuilding though - I'll bet that piece of the strip will look fantastic next year.
Last week I noticed Engler's Block was gone...and the big ole motel next to what was the Silver Fountain Inn was being torn down. Glad to hear several of those places will be rebuilding.
Just got back and it is really sad to see all the empty lots. The old Bens wishing well , hi ho motel, silver fountain inn, all the area around the leisure country inn. While on a morning run I lost count of all the empty grown up lots along the strip. What is more disturbing is the old Grand Palace property in disrepair and not being kept up. Hopefully things will get on the upswing and with good planning Branson will come back strong.
Quote from: Runner1960 on September 01, 2012, 09:34:36 PM
So, what is the new look for 76 strip? That sounds interesting, a friend and I were just talking the other day about how worn out and run down the strip was starting to look. She mentioned that they needed to reinvent it. Looks like there may be plans for this. I hope so.
I agree that a new look sounds interesting. My hometown did a similar thing when we had a tornado about 8 years ago. We had the people who designed the Chesterfield Village area of Springfield design our square. Very nice brick and stonework building with awnings and such. It will be interesting to see what Branson decides to do.
I "found" this photo album of tornado damage,,, some f=different pics than i had seen before..
.https://www.facebook.com/nicolestarling/photos#!/media/set/?set=a.10150691266337139.445728.511987138&type=3
this just in!! Jubilee foods will be back..
http://bransontrilakesnews.com/news_free/article_61429b7a-09a4-11e2-9d62-001a4bcf887a.html?mode=story#.UGifYyM5P1U.facebook
saw several signs of repair being done finally in branson, here a 2 pics showings that unfortunately the Ozarkland Building is gone, and foundations already beeing poured back..(for some reason pics arent attaching, i will add them in later....)).. BUT the buidling is GONE!>>
I will get more pics and more info on repairs going on when i go back down in early february,,,
I am here to tell you i saw a LOT of different projects going on...
check this link for pics of Ozarkland,
.https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4695148108175.174356.1578260143&type=1
Lazy and didnt want to make a new posting......I noticed that Stone and Tany Counties are under a Tornado WARNING!!! until 5pm today. Get yalls prayer on that it does not become more than a storm and everyone comes out okay!
ALL CLEAR, no damage to Branson area, lost 3 or 4 trailers (house?) south of Kimberling city,,,
Lost cable in Branson, thats it..
OR so the initial reports...
Update on the 2012 tornado damage -- Don't look for Shoney's to reopen. The guy who had the franchise for the Ozarks Shoney's in Missouri and Harrison Arkansas has closed all of his restaurants. He is having financial difficulties.
More from tv station KSPR 33 in Springfield:
http://www.kspr.com/news/kspr-shoneys-suddenly-closes-doors-employees-says-restaurant-refuses-to-pay-them-20130128,0,320458.story
Hate to say it, but that's really no big loss
That very same cell was the one that produced a 200yard wide twister on the Ark/Ok state line and cut through the national forest near Devils Den and suspected if briefly spinning up again at Elkins. That was way too close and only two miles from my house. I can not tell you the berating our elementary school principle got. In the middle of the warning, they were loading buses and parents for pick up had to clue the teachers in as to what was going on.
Quote from: Swoosh on January 29, 2013, 07:49:36 PM
Hate to say it, but that's really no big loss
I definitely agree. Hopefully, though, the building will get torn down soon.
No big loss of a restaurant? That is what you mean right Swoosh? Because it seems like a big loss to the job market... Including my mom... Who has worked there for 25, years until a tornado took it away... Big loss to my family... But I assume you meant no big loss of a restaurant...which was one of the more busier breakfast places in Branson... Even in the off season... But no big loss... Where do live? Because it seems like you don't know much about our town... Just your preferences...
If the Branson location was the bread winner for that franchisee, I'd expect someone else to come in rebuild the brand. The other locations may have been carried by the Branson location. Seems like most of the Shoney's I knew of growing up have closed. but in areas like Tennessee they seem to doing fine.
There is a Shoneys in my town that seems to do well. I recall going to one in Joplin when I was little and it was always a treat. I have been to the one in my town now about two years ago and it wasnt too bad. Not my fave but not the worst I ever ate. They do make a decent chicken salad sammich...
Quote from: Hollywood on January 30, 2013, 04:28:58 AM
No big loss of a restaurant? That is what you mean right Swoosh? Because it seems like a big loss to the job market... Including my mom... Who has worked there for 25, years until a tornado took it away... Big loss to my family... But I assume you meant no big loss of a restaurant...which was one of the more busier breakfast places in Branson... Even in the off season... But no big loss... Where do live? Because it seems like you don't know much about our town... Just your preferences...
Calm down.
At one time Shoney's was a good and affordable place to eat but Shoney's as a chain has not done well for a long time. Many locations have closed since the 90s.
I do feel sorry for all of the employees who have lost jobs as a result of the Shoney's closures. And I think it stinks that so many employees didn't get their last paychecks from the franchise owner.
That doesnt just stink........that calls for a bunch of bad words strung together!!! :o
Sorry... Touchy subject...
Quote from: biscuitcreek on January 30, 2013, 01:16:45 PM
At one time Shoney's was a good and affordable place to eat but Shoney's as a chain has not done well for a long time. Many locations have closed since the 90s.
Correct. I honestly couldn't even tell you were the closest Shoney's is to me anymore without having to go Google it. When I was younger, they were a great place to eat. Hate to say it, but I haven't been young for quite awhile now and Shoney's hasn't been a good place to eat for at least that long.
Yes, it was a loss in the way of jobs. NO, it was not a loss as in a good place to eat. No offense to your relatives, they just worked there.
If anything. The town could use another Cracker Barrel
Shoneys is where we ate at 4am on the way back from a night Memphis.
Quote
The town could use another Cracker Barrel
Boy I diagree to this. What Branson needs in more diversity in its restaurants. They dont need duplicates.
Quote from: mhguy77 on January 30, 2013, 10:41:12 PM
Quote
The town could use another Cracker Barrel
Boy I diagree to this. What Branson needs in more diversity in its restaurants. They dont need duplicates.
Yep. Cracker Barrell quality has gone down with it's proliferation. Most veggies are straight out the Sysco can.
Be that as it may. It still gets extremely busy and the wait time for a table is usually an hour or more during peak season.
Who goes there to eat veggies? :/
Quote from: chittlins on January 31, 2013, 05:01:42 AM
Quote from: mhguy77 on January 30, 2013, 10:41:12 PM
Quote
The town could use another Cracker Barrel
Boy I diagree to this. What Branson needs in more diversity in its restaurants. They dont need duplicates.
Yep. Cracker Barrell quality has gone down with it's proliferation. Most veggies are straight out the Sysco can.
I agree 100 percent. I love local eateries and it seems Branson has just become a chain restaurant Mecca. Give me a local hole in the wall any day. I just do not get the allure of Cracker Barrell. Average food and the place is so noisy that you cannot hear across the table.
We actually just ate at Cracker Barrel last night, love it. most of the food is still made from scratch...not all though. The atmosphere is great, and the gift shop is nice to look around at while waiting for a table (although last night we were seated right away because it was a Wed night).
BUT......We never eat at the one in Branson
WHY.....because we can get it at home.
Much rather eat at one of the many local restaurants that branson has to offer that we can't get at home.
Cracker Barrel, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and many others we just don't go to while in Branson, cause we have all that at home.
The problem with chain restuarants is that often the quality depends on the franchisee groups. One Fridays may be fantastic as where one is lousy. Guess I'm lucky that we have some great local establishments here in Fayetteville. There's a half dozen Cracker Barrels between my house and Memphis on 540 and 40. Its like McDonalds.
I really didn't mean for my comment on Shoney's to turn into a restaurant discussion in this thread. I mentioned Shoney's because it is one of the few places remaining that hasn't been repaired or torn down after the 2012 tornado.
Has Jubilee started rebuilding yet?
new years weekend they were doing early stage dirt work... I should have pics next week...
Ok posted some pics of building and construction.... NOT nearly all of it, but Battery went dead on camera.. check 'em out.. Also see 10 pics of CC..
If you want to see something specific, leave me a note and i will try to get pics,,, will be back in branson in 3 weeks..
>https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.5000836430192.177276.1578260143&type=1#!/media/set/?set=a.5000836430192.177276.1578260143&type=1
Need to change the properties to public
Done,, try it now... thanks, swoosh..
Not working for me
You don't really notice the big voids in the day time. You really notice them at night, when you drive through town and entire sections of the strip are dark.
Yes, unfortunately they are still not working.
:/
Try this...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sanddunerider/
Thanks for posting Sanddunerider! Charlies Steak Ribs & Ale looks like it is coming along really good, last time I saw it, it was just a foundation. Glad to see the rebuild of Ozarkland, surly they will add the famous Gambrel Style roof to it.
YES! So glad to see the Ozarkland rebuild coming along! That was always my favorite "tourist trap" on the strip.
I will be back in branson in 2 weeks, IF there is a building or project you want pics of let me know. I will try to get them for you.
I'm glad Charlies is rebuilding. Always enjoyed the peanuts, baked sweetpotatoes, ribs, steaks, pretty much everything! Do we think it will be open this spring? A pic of this would be nice.
Okie? Pic? no problem..
be there in 2 weeks...
where is charlies loacated?...
It is east of the Paddle wheel motel, visible from 76, but not right on it.
Paul Harris and the Cleverlys used to show up at Charlie's on occasion after their show and play. It was a great night when you could catch them there! Lots of fun!!
check my pictures, is it the single building back off the road with the BIG deck? that picture is in the vicinity of the riverboat..
^ Yep! That's Charlies!
Yes that looks like Charlies, only newer. Good pic, thanx. Hope its ready this spring! Tornadoes seem to have a mind of their own. It was weird how it went down the strip changing sides north and south of 76.
Okie, actually if you can find a map of the path the tornado took... it did not move around, it took a straight path, BUT because 76 isnt straight, it "appears" the tornado moved around,,,,,
the good thing is that is was "bouncing" and not on the ground all the way... we would have had a BAD mess then..
True that.
Soory no pics from this trip.. but they have the ozarkland building u, framed, and boxed in,,, that building looks to me like it is 3 stories tall>!! it is way up there,, be interesting to see the interior when completed.....
Anyone have photos of Track 4's new building? I saw it on Facebook but the angle was terrible
Posted new pics, dated most of them 4-15-13, have pics of riverboat motel, Ozarkland, Jubilee foods, Shoneys, New car And Agriculture museum.. check 'em out.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.5000836430192.177276.1578260143&type=1
Clicked on the link, got this:
This content is currently unavailable.
The page you requested cannot be displayed right now. It may be temporarily unavailable, the link you clicked on may have expired, or you may not have permission to view this page.
hmmm??? i just tried it and it went straight to the photo album.
I also got "content currently unavailable".
I dont know whats wrong.. I have FB set to "public" so all should be able to see it...i will try a couple of more things...
'
couple of views of Jubilee foods,
AND then the SHoneys bidg.. looks like they saved the Main Block walls and are installing new wood window frames for another business..
Last group for now,,, this is the New Car/Agriculture Museum... this thing is MASSIVE!!! 1 st couple of views is the south wall looking west, 3rd view is east wall looking north from 76, last pic is west wall looking north
Forecast tonight is calling for storms in the area through until tomorrow some time. Stay safe in the midwest all...
Yes the car museum is massive. I noticed that in March.
WOW they are really zooming on Jubilee Foods. I cant recall that much being done in March. I believe they just started the rebuild right close to March. WOW they can build quick though once money is alloted.
Thanks for the pics Sand Dune. I forgot my camera in March >:(
Google maps has been updated very recently (thanks backintime).. Looks like pics were taken in mid-april.. if u pull up the map, you can see alot of the existing damage, new construction going on..
I found the riverboat motel and they were just starting to demo it, happens to be when i took pics of the same area, thus the time frame.
check it out!
Now then, something interesting. you look at a damged building from the air... THEN go to street view, LOL,
street view is at least 1 1/2 years old. shows the old building with NO damage!! funny, shoneys, tatto shop, riverboat. all complete and open for business.
Saw this on FB this morning.........
Aweome! I'm glad to see Shoney's is back in action. It makes me crave busicuits, and bacon just thinking about it.
Just curious, how is the repair work going regarding the tornado? Is Ozarkland open again? How is Shoney's since it reopened? I noticed lots of real estate signs out in the cleared areas last time through town.
The Shoney's is amazing! One of the only new models that have been built since they redesigned their buildings. It is now a sports bar feeling and they now serve beer and wine. My mom is so glad to be back. She has been there for 25 years, and this 15 months has been the most difficult thing that she has been through. If you get a chance, stop in!
Ozarkland rebuilt on the same site with an updated building with the same look as the old Ozarkland red barn.
Oct 18 Rhodes Family Price Chopper Grocery Store opened in the Jubilee Grocery spot on Hwy 76. It is a GREAT grocer with any and all amenities from salad bar, Chinese, Pizza sushi, produce, bakery...etc etc...
At long last, some of the final ruins are starting to come down: http://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/branson-begins-last-chapter-of-tornado-recovery
Lot of changes in Branson this off-season.
Quote from: shavethewhales on December 28, 2015, 01:01:41 PM
At long last, some of the final ruins are starting to come down: http://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/branson-begins-last-chapter-of-tornado-recovery
Lot of changes in Branson this off-season.
Read the last paragraph about forming a taxing district. Looks like they are looking for more ways to stick it to the tourist crowd.
Quote from: Runner1960 on December 28, 2015, 01:37:13 PM
Quote from: shavethewhales on December 28, 2015, 01:01:41 PM
At long last, some of the final ruins are starting to come down: http://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/branson-begins-last-chapter-of-tornado-recovery
Lot of changes in Branson this off-season.
Read the last paragraph about forming a taxing district. Looks like they are looking for more ways to stick it to the tourist crowd.
Well, money doesn't grow on trees. So, if they are going to "attempt" to improve 76, they have to fund it somehow.
Quote from: chittlins on December 28, 2015, 02:55:55 PM
Quote from: Runner1960 on December 28, 2015, 01:37:13 PM
Quote from: shavethewhales on December 28, 2015, 01:01:41 PM
At long last, some of the final ruins are starting to come down: http://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/branson-begins-last-chapter-of-tornado-recovery
Lot of changes in Branson this off-season.
Read the last paragraph about forming a taxing district. Looks like they are looking for more ways to stick it to the tourist crowd.
Well, money doesn't grow on trees. So, if they are going to "attempt" to improve 76, they have to fund it somehow.
Till you tax yourself out of existence. Branson's occupancy taxes and fees are already to high. I'll say bye bye first. To many other places wanting my dollars.
Look at the Vegas strip: a hotel on the strip will easily cost you AT LEAST twice on the strip vs. just a block away. The strip itself is such a destination and experience that it's a no brainier for people to pay a premium to stay right on it in the mix of it all. Developers continually feed off of that demand and build bigger and better casinos and hotels, which in turn makes it into even more of a destination...
In the same way the 76 strip is trying to get that ball rolling, but it takes money. People may grumble at a little extra tax at first (if they even notice), but if the plan works then it'll pay massive dividends down the road.