Chasing Stafford

Rumors fly with some regularity in the live entertainment Mecca south of Springfield. Theater owners are always looking to sell their buildings and outside investor groups are looking to buy into Branson's theater industry.

Cindy Merry, an independent marketing consultant who works with the Jim Stafford Theatre, said as far as she knows Stafford has no plans to sell the building or stop doing his show.

Such rumors are common, however. An idea can start at one end of the strip, “and by the end of the day it's at the other end of the strip - and it's wrong,” she said.

Stafford and theater management could not be reached for comment.

The theaters are a hot topic.

“Theaters are valuable commodities. If you look at Branson, the theaters are all packed with shows,” she said. “The Stafford Theatre is probably in one of the best locations in Branson - it's right on (Highway) 76, it's the right size, you can access it from Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, (Highway)165 (or) Green Mountain Road. It's got great location value, and those theaters people are always looking at.”

However, Merry said that Stafford - like any theater owner - could be persuaded by the right deal.

“I don't want to say that they'd never look at selling the theater,” Merry said. “If somebody brought the right deal, I can't imagine anybody in Branson turning it down if it worked the way they wanted it to.”

Very little prime undeveloped real estate is left on the Branson strip - and much of what is left already has new venues open or under construction. By the end of 2006, there will be 49 theaters in the 19-square-mile town.

The New Shanghai Theatre, 645 State Highway 165, opened as the venue for the New Shanghai Circus in August. The $2.9 million facility seats 900 and is the first permanent home for the circus group, which has been performing in Branson since 1997.

Meanwhile, the $5 million Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater is scheduled to open with a grand opening concert March 17 at 1600 W. Highway 76. It will house a 900-seat theater, a 1950s-style restaurant and a classic car museum. Performers set for shows at the theater include Bill Medley and Gary Lewis and the Playboys.

Investors across the country are taking notice of Branson's growth.

John Joslyn, president of Cedar Bay Entertainment, moved from his 25-year home in Los Angeles to build the Titanic museum on land he purchased at Highway 76 and Gretna Road.

Joslyn, who also has built attractions and entertainment venues in Orlando and Las Vegas, said the demographics of the region are what make it so attractive.

“The (appeal) was the proximity between tourist attractions and population,” he said. “It's always about location, location, location. Branson attractions draw about 7 million a year. I also like the proximity to the population within a day's drive - people drive here more than they fly here.”

Joslyn, who invested $15 million in the new museum, said it will be ready for a soft opening March 8 and an official grand opening April 7.

Branson Economic Development Director Mike Rankin said interest from out-of-town investors is as high as it's ever been - on an average day Rankin receives 200 to 300 e-mails about demographics and available property along with dozens of phone calls. He attributes the interest and the resulting growth to one project.

“When the council approved Branson Landing, it was like the final domino,” Rankin said. “The confidence City Council had in the project shows developers around the country and investors that the commitment in the community is here. The southwest region is strong and is viewed nationwide as a good, stable place for development.”