Branson, Missouri, known to many as the live music capital of America, is changing. Entertainment has been its main product. For many years this has drawn millions of visitors annually, the majority of which qualify for the senior citizens’ discounts at Denny’s and IHOP. These folks still make up a significant percentage of the annual visitors, but change is coming, and it is inevitable.
The old names like Andy Williams, Glen Campbell, Roy Clark, and so many others, no longer rule the Branson “Strip”. The tornadoes of February 28, 2012 destroyed a large number of buildings along the Strip, including the popular Walmart store and several of the better known theaters. Walmart and some of the other businesses rebuilt immediately, but much of the Strip still shows the devastation of that fateful day. Locals, as the Branson residents call themselves, will tell you that new construction will reflect some of the anticipated changes which are the main topic of this posting.
One only has to look at the developments over the past several years to understand what they are saying. The “old down town” still exists, but abuts the new Convention Center, Hilton Hotel, and Branson Landing upscale shops, restaurants and a Bass Pro Shop. North of town the Payne Stewart Golf Resort is the center piece of major higher end residential development. To the South Johnny Morris (owner of Bass Pro) has purchased and redeveloped the Top of the Rock Restaurant, and added major amenities. His nearby Big Cedar Lodge is one of the showplaces of the Ozarks.
Then there is golf. Currently there are 12 golf courses in the immediate Branson area, and Johnny Morris controls about half of them. His goal is to make Branson a major golf destination. And I haven’t even mentioned the world class fishing available at Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake and Lake Taneycomo.
As you can imagine, the next five years will bring monumental growth to the Branson area. Population has almost doubled in the past five years, so the trend will almost assuredly continue. What do I think the Branson of the future will look like? I’ll be posting on more specific elements of this growth in the weeks to come.
Have you ever been to Branson? If so, what thoughts do you have on its future?