Branson/Tri-Lakes News: GW Foods adds store in Branson market

A full-service grocery opened last month in the Cross Creek Center on State Highway 76, just east of Branson.

The location and the demographics of the Branson market convinced Willow Springs-based GW Foods Inc. to open the 13,000-square-foot Sun Fest Market, said manager Steve Kuehn.

Among the shoppers filling their carts following the Dec. 17 ribbon cutting hosted by the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce were Elizabeth Grisham and Valerie Williams. They are the "G" and "W" of GW Foods, along with their husbands, Sam Grisham and Dan Williams.

The wives said they enjoy sampling the wares at stores their company acquires. However, this store is unique to them because it's a startup, not an acquisition, said Elizabeth Grisham. And they each have a special connection with Branson. Valerie said she and Dan met when they worked one summer at Silver Dollar City, and Elizabeth lived in Branson when she was young.

GW Foods owns 25 stores, including three Sun Fest Markets as well as Farmers Markets and Save-A-Lot stores, said Kuehn, who worked at the Sun Fest Market in Holiday Island, Ark., before opening the Branson store.

Sun Fest Markets are known for their meat departments, fresh produce and the bakery and deli, Kuehn said. The store also has a large selection of gourmet cheeses and a variety of specialty foods. "That's becoming very popular," Kuehn added.

The store also will sell beer, wine and liquor. Kuehn said he had no trouble finding employees, pointing to the roughly 400 applicants for the store's 40 positions.

Also, GW Foods purchased the nearly vacant Cross Creek Center that houses Sun Fest Market. Dollar General is one of the center's few tenants.

Keuhn said the location should serve Branson commuters, who live in eastern Taney County.

Shellena Hensley, manager of Pennel's Kennel and a Kirbyville resident, said she's excited about the store.

"I've been waiting for it to open," she said. "Once they put the Dollar General up, it made it real handy."