Hollister's Gage Properties gets in on Branson Landing

Family-owned Gage Properties of Hollister has secured a long-term agreement with HCW Development Co. to locate a marina with dinner boats on the north side of Branson Landing, near Joe’s Crab Shack.

The $6 million Gage Marina and Shoppes at the Branson Landing is scheduled for construction as soon as permits are granted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said Justin Gage, a partner in Gage Properties and Gage’s Long Creek Marina on Table Rock Lake. Gage said he hopes to get approval from the Corps within 30 to 60 days so the marina can open in the spring.

Gage Properties is partnering with SkipperLiner of La Crosse, Wis., to build and operate two 149-seat dinner boats. One will be a 96-foot luxury yacht, and the other a family-friendly, paddle, sight-seeing boat. According to its Web site, SkipperLiner builds passenger dinner cruise vessels throughout the United States. Gage said the yacht, which will cost $2 million, will be targeted for high-end use, including weddings and receptions.

In addition, the marina will have pontoons for rent and will accommodate condo owners with its 20 boat slips for lease. Gage said the marina also will feature a two-story, dock complex. The upper level of the building will be a glassed-in, 300-seat event center, while the lower level will have retail and snack shops.

The Lake Queen, a passenger boat that has cruised on Lake Taneycomo since the 1950s, will be restored to its original condition, and be permanently built into the dock as a museum. Gage, whose grandfather helped build and operate the Lake Queen, said his family has been compiling pictures and memorabilia back to the 1920s that include photos of Branson fishing guide Jim Owens and the White River for the museum.

Hollister Plaza

Gage Properties also is developing projects along U.S. Highway 65 in Hollister. James Gage, Justin’s brother, said PostNet, Branson Drug and a national pizza chain will be among the newest tenants to move into the company’s Hollister Plaza this fall. Space in the retail/office building, located on Gage Road, was leased to H&R Block and The Main Frame earlier this year. Gage said about one-third of the 18,000 square feet is available for lease.

Interest in the retail space has increased since the new Hollister overpass at U.S. Hwy. 65 opened Sept. 1.

“Everybody’s been waiting on the interchange to open. Since it opened, we’re getting four calls a day,” Gage said.

Gage said the building’s construction, estimated at $1 million, began in late 2005 and was finished in January. The architect was Bates & Associates and the general contractor was MSB Inc.[[In-content Ad]]