Branson Landing

[Bill Babler]

Well, I got to the Landing. As most of you know, I have not been the biggest fan of destroying the Branson river front for mall shops, but I got there to take a look this evening at around 4pm and stayed till around 8pm.

If you are not a stranger to this fourm, you know my wife and I operate a Bed and Breakfast Inn on Table Rock. We felt, when constructing the Inn that we would gear ourselves to people that would be willing to spend in excess of $200.00 per night for lodging if it were of the highest quality. It has been extremely successful and the kind of people we get as gusets, are looking for very upper end entertainment.

We have had some 400 plus guests go to the Landing since it opened. NONE were very impressed. and most say they have never seen as many cheap crummy shoe stores in one location in the USA.

Of our 400 plus guests that have visited the Landing we asked how many spent money, and how many would return. The 400 probably spent $2,000.00 total with almost all on food from famous Dave's. We have not had a guest that said they would return to the Landing.

My impressions were that getting into the Landing were quite easy, as we drove right up to Bilks and parked and just walked right in. Hardly anyone on the streets.

I thought the street brick work and the horticulture were very nice in the streets, but thought the buildings and the overall theme was completely out of place with the Ozarks, with nothing at all to seperate the various town sections of the Landing from one another.

We have one neighbor on the North that has a 7000 sq. ft. brick house for sale on the lake for $650.000.00 They can't sell it. The neighbor to the South, just sold their 3500 hundred sq. ft. cedar and rock home for $850.000 thru the same realitor. The realitor was quite honest with the brick house owners, and told them their house though big and on a great lot, just had no curb apeal and I hate to say this but boring. This is not KC, or St. Louis, you must blend in or you just do not fit. The Landing just does not fit. Brick and Concrete are just boring.

WE have friends that are operating 4 different shops in the Landing, and they say it is only a matter of time at this rate before they are gone. We counted 36 closed store fronts on our visit. Maby they are just not open yet?

We had also asked people about the water display. Most said ho-hum just vertical up lifts with no cross or intrigated water features. One lady said the one in her yard at home was very compreable.

It was ok, if you have never been to Vegas and seen the one there. I was also amazed at the ammount of broken or cracked concrete on the sidewalks. Probably 70 or 80 percent of the pieces of walk are already broken.

Maby the Landing will fit a certain Branson crowd, maby it will attract conventions, but is it the people we want?

I am sure time will tell and the Landing will be a great success, but for now they need to hang the designer up by his toe nails. It couldn't have been made any cheaper, cheezer or more boring. I am just amazed there is not a big walmart on the town square, they have a bass pro, so it would have fit right in.

[Phil Lilley]

We just got in from a boat ride with friends... went and watched a couple of fountain performances... it kinda grows on you... it was nice.

[Danoinark]

Any truth to rumors that the place is settling quick and some of the brick and facade are cracking too?

[stone9-7=2]

I have to agree w/ Bill it was pretty disapointing & didn't like famous Dave's& i love barbecue.

The best imop is a small place in Mountain View ARK called Bar-None-Bar-B-Q.

Did like the nascar shop though.

9-7=2.

[bubbaray]

Well I have been coming to Branson/Taney for several years and usually for two or three day trips. I have to say I enjoy the landing for this reason. On every trip my wife has to take one afternoon (or day) and go shopping. Which includes Tangers and the red top mall (don't know the name). At least with the landing I can go to Bass Pro and look around and send her down the side walk. Don't know about anyone else but I can spend several hours looking around at stuff. Only option at the other places is follow her around.

[ColdWaterFshr]

I've checked out the Landing once, and that was a few days before Bass Pro officially opened. I think it will definitely thrive if they can open some more shops to draw more people. And I disagree with Bills comments. I think it is one positive that urban Branson has going for it. Tell me, does anything about the 8-10 miles of strip mall shopping "blend" in with the Ozarks? No, lets face it, most of Branson on 76 is gawdy and ugly. And that end of Branson, before the development, had pretty much fallen into decay. It was nice 30 years ago, but that was before its gradual decline. The Landing is a step in the right direction for the first time in a LONG time in that city, just this St. Louisan's opinion. I WILL take my family back there. I thought it was great. It ain't Vegas, but what is? And your mention of the brick home that can't sell because of "curb appeal" probably isn't the main reason. Maybe a $650k, 7000 sq ft house would sell fast in Orange county, but you're talking about Taney county. And how many people want 7000 sq. feet of living space? People will stay in nice cabins for $200 per night without fail. They will also buy $650k small lake cabins as a second home if all the elements are right.

Let me just say I hate shoppping and all things shopping related. But I would much rather shop in the Landings atmosphere than go to a factory mall, or hop from strip mall to strip mall thru 76 traffic.

[loo10]

I haven't been to the Landing yet

but my wife and daughter went last Saturday.

They liked it.

[Wayne SW/MO]

If you're looking for BBQ, try Dana's on 165 north of the hatchery, on 13 south of the 3 way in Branson West.

I agree with Bill, they did a terrible job on the decor, or theme, in fact CWF one would think they could improve on the strip decor, given the fact they had control over all of it, but they didn't really.

[vacation]

I do not like shopping but have spoken with many retailers down there several times. Many shops are so far above projected numbers it isn't even funny. Stores had no idea that Branson could be so good to them. We shall see come winter time, everyone always comes to see a 'new baby'. Selling homes for 650k plus is a lot to ask in Taney county, but lets look at how much appreciation they are recieving. Many counties in the Southern U.S. would be happy to experience the home values many of us are enjoying. There are lots of shoe stores down there and very little in the men's apparel line, but on the other hand, the women can shop all day why we fish!!

Oh and one more thing, this topic should be moved to general discussion Bill.

[Phil Lilley]

Moved...

I've said it before and I'll probably say it again- they built it in the wrong place. And they didn't take advantage of the lakefront setting.