Belk store first to open at Branson Landing

Shoppers got a sneak peek at the Belk department store March 30 in a pre-opening event.

The apparel and home furnishings retailer anchors the landing’s north end, occupying about 68,000 square feet. The Landing’s south anchor store, Bass Pro Shops, is scheduled to open June 8.

“Branson Landing has become a reality,” said Branson Mayor Lou Schaefer, adding that the waterfront development would “draw visitors from all over the country.”

The five-year-old Branson Landing development will open in phases throughout the year. Following Belk, as many as 50 other stores will open May 26, and remaining tenants will open in October.

The $420 million development has space for more than 100 stores in six different themed areas. There will be a water fountain display, town square, condominiums, two hotels and a convention center.

About 83 percent of the project is leased, and discussions with additional retailers and restaurants continue, according to officials from the Landing’s developer, HCW Development Co., in a city of Branson news release.

In 2005, an estimated 7.3 million people visited the Branson area, up from 7 million in 2004, according to Branson officials. Meanwhile, the number of phone inquiries to the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is up 46 percent to date this year.