Brown Derby near MSU closing

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A Brown Derby liquor store that's long operated near Missouri State University is closing up shop.

Signage posted to the door of the store at 506 S. National Ave. indicates "this location will be permanently closing" with temporary hours indicated in the meantime. A closure date was not stated on the sign, and officials with the company could not be reached for comment by deadline.

The store is among seven locations, including the Brown Derby Wine Center, 2023 S. Glenstone Ave., listed on the company's website.

Other Brown Derby locations appear to have recently closed. A Springfield Business Journal reader recently sent the newsroom a picture indicating the Brown Derby at 1839 E. Bennett St. had closed. Springfield News-Leader reporting additionally points to closures of Brown Derby stores in recent months at 701 W. Commercial St. and 2356 E. Chestnut Expressway.

There were as many as 18 Brown Derby stores as recently as 2006, according to SBJ archives.

The National Avenue Brown Derby store near MSU shares a building with a former Panera Bread that's been shuttered since a vehicle crashed through the front of the restaurant earlier this year. Barbershop Deluxe, 1206 E. Elm St., continues to operate in the building, a phone call confirmed this morning.

The property owned by Nouvelle Realty LLC has nearly 22,000 square feet of commercial space, a commercial market value of $1.1 million and assessed value of $348,380, according to Greene County assessor records.

Across the street, an Andy's Frozen Custard opened in August 2022 at 509 S. National Ave. The frozen custard store is on the former site of National Art Shop, which was demolished to make way for the dessert shop, according to past reporting.