Hundreds of Branson residents joined city officials Friday for the opening of the city’s largest retail development, five years in the making. Fanfare on the Branson Landing promenade included an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music and a speech by Branson Mayor Lou Schaefer.
“Branson Landing has already been a catalyst in stimulating a record amount of new development in our community, and it will continue to do so far into the future,” Schaefer said. “We also know that Branson Landing will add a new dimension to the Branson experience.”
Half of the 100 stores at the $420 million downtown development along Lake Taneycomo opened their doors to the public. Openings will continue this summer and into 2007. On June 8, a Bass Pro Shops is slated to open on the south end of the development. On the other end is Belk department store, the lone business to open prior to Friday.
“It has been a long, long road getting to this point, but I think the product will show that it was all worth it,” City Administrator Terry Dody said. “It’s better than any vision I could have had of it.”
On June 16, a grand celebration will be held. At that time, the boardwalk and waterfront fountains are expected to be finished and operational. The rest of stores and restaurants are expected to open then. The final phase of the project is a 220,000-square-foot convention center and Hilton Hotel.
“With our community already attracting more than 7 million visitors annually, we are excited to add Branson Landing to the tourist offering,” Schaefer said.
Rick Huffman president of HCW Development, the company developing Branson Landing, said the effort will help ensure Branson’s future is bright. “It’s going to bring new customers to the area, it’s going to bring more customers to the area and it’s going to bring more money to the community,” Huffman said.
Schaefer said Branson Landing is the largest development ever opened in Branson’s 93-year history. “This is the beginning of a new road in the development, and we’re taking it a step at a time and each step reveals a new experience,” Schaefer said. “Last month, we stepped into Belks, the first store to open here at Branson Landing and the first major department store in Branson. Today, we’ll be stepping into the promenade that is lined with specialty stores and restaurants that are also new to Branson.”
Information provided by Branson Daily News