Braum's to open five stores in Springfield, one in Nixa

by Karen E. Culp

SBJ Staff

Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Stores will soon be entering the Springfield market. Braum's has plans to put five of its stores in Springfield and one in Nixa, said public relations director Andie French.

The company has purchased land at Glenstone and Chestnut Expressway, Republic Road and National, on Kansas Expressway and on West Sunshine, French said. Another site in Springfield is still being sought.

Springfield's market is "untapped. We're coming in full force. That's the best way to do it if you're going to do it," French said.

Braum's now has stores in Carthage, Neosho, Joplin and Monett, French said. The stores are a combination ice cream parlor, grocery store and restaurant. Springfield will get the company's U-model stores.

"The U-model stores are our most modern stores. The company started with A-model stores and has progressed through the alphabet," French said.

The stores are 5,800 square feet each and have drive-throughs and "lots of pink neon," French said. Braum's stores have a large grocery section with "a little bit of everything," French said, plus hand-dipped ice cream and a grill area that serves hot food.

"We're not a superstore or a mega-grocery store. We're the kind of store that asks the customer to make a special trip," French