Great Southern Bank to add second Ozark branch

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by Eric Olson|ret||ret||tab|

SBJ Reporter|ret||ret||tab|

eolson@sbj.net|ret||ret||tab|

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Officials at Great Southern Bank are trying to capitalize on having Missouri's fastest-growing city in their backyard. With one Ozark branch already in operation, Great Southern has acquired the site of Cruisin' USA Frozen Custard with the intent of building a second Ozark branch on 1.28-acres site at 1530 W. State Highway J.|ret||ret||tab|

Great Southern closed on the acquisition with property owner Ozark Gateway Properties LLC for an undisclosed amount in early January, and it plans to use the custard store structure as a base facility to build on, bank officials said.|ret||ret||tab|

"Obviously, it's a wonderful community that we have a large customer base in, and we're looking to expand that," said Doug Marrs, Great Southern vice president of operations.|ret||ret||tab|

Great Southern is not the first bank to take notice of the area's growth potential.|ret||ret||tab|

"That's going to be bank corner for us," said Steve Childers, Ozark city planner.|ret||ret||tab|

Great Southern would be the fourth banking institution within a half-mile of the corner, with Liberty Bank, Southwest Community Bank and Ozark Mountain Bank already laying claim to the area at highways NN and J. "Great Southern is going to be right across the street from that," Childers said.|ret||ret||tab|

"It is a growing section of town," Marrs said. "With the growth, hopefully we would acquire some of the new folks that are moving into that area."|ret||ret||tab|

According to Brenda Burnley, Ozark's planning and zoning technician, there are 667 single-family lots and 702 multifamily units completed, under construction or planned in the immediate area of highways NN and J. Developments such as Waterford, The Rivers, Turnberry, Shanaclaire, Willow Terrace, Canterbury and Embassy Apartments lead the residential expansion.|ret||ret||tab|

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Recycled structures|ret||ret||tab|

Great Southern is familiar with modifying existing buildings to fit its needs. A former grocery store at 218 S. Glenstone is under renovation for business offices, and Great Southern recently revamped a vacant restaurant at 2562 N. Glenstone to serve as a north-side branch.|ret||ret||tab|

"Sometimes it's just more financially attractive to do that," Marrs said. "We think that would be appropriate for (the Ozark) location also." |ret||ret||tab|

Marrs said the new Ozark bank is under design, and discussions are ongoing with the bank's primary architects, Butler, Rosenbury & Partners and Hood-Rich Architects. Construction costs and starting and completion dates are unknown at this time.|ret||ret||tab|

When complete, the branch would be No. 30 for Great Southern, according to Kelly Polonus, director of corporate communications. Great Southern opened its 29th location in Nixa last year. Its other Ozark branch is at 1701 W. Jackson.|ret||ret||tab|

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Moving shop|ret||ret||tab|

The sale does not spell the end of Cruisin' USA Frozen Custard. "We're relocating the business," said owner Lynn Morris.|ret||ret||tab|

Morris plans to open the custard shop in Nixa in May, when construction of Crimson Plaza is complete. It will retain the same name and share 4,500 square feet with Family Pharmacy, Morris' other business. The new location will have indoor and outdoor seating and a drive through.|ret||ret||tab|

Crimson Plaza is a $3.5 million, 40,000-square-foot strip center under construction on East Highway 14. It also will house Dr. William Campbell's family practice.|ret||ret||tab|

Morris still does business in Ozark, where he began Family Pharmacy in 1977. Family Pharmacy's corporate offices and a retail store are located there, and he recently opened Family Pharmacy Bargain Outlet at 1144 W. Jackson. Morris said it will carry seasonal, discontinued and overstocked items from his retail stores.|ret||ret||tab|

Other plans include an April 1 opening of Family Pharmacy in Forsyth.|ret||ret||tab|

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