On the Edges

Aurora

Allen's opens in former Consumers

A new grocery store, Allen's Discount Foods, opened at 2103 S. Elliot June 18. The store, which is owned by Tom Allen, is located in the former Consumers Food & Drug location. "We bought three old Consumers stores: Aurora, Joplin and Bella Vista, Ark.," said Allen's son, Cory Allen of Vinita, Okla. Allen's Discount food also owns two family-owned grocery stores in Vinita. The 28,000-square-foot store has about 35 employees, many of whom previously worked for Consumers. The store is open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week. Besides groceries, the store includes a pharmacy, bakery, deli and carry-out service. "We're trying to be a down-home type grocer who carries out groceries and knows our customers by name," Allen said. The store is managed by David Butterworth, and the phone number is 678-5124.

'Horseshoes and Barbecue' Aug. 21

The Aurora Area Chamber of Commerce and Community 2000 of Aurora are sponsoring an old-fashioned community fun day 3-8 p.m. Aug. 21 at White Park. Activities will include horseshoe and domino tournaments, volleyball, softball, basketball, tennis, horse rides and barbecue from Hog Wild Barbecue of Aurora. Adult tickets are $6.50 and children younger than seven are $3.25. Tickets can be purchased from chamber members or at the Aurora Wal-Mart Aug. 6-7 and Aug. 13-14. For more information, call 676-4150.

Nixa

Buckingham adds fourth store

An old building that has housed a car dealership, a warehouse and Nixa city offices is being renovated and will open the first week of August as the fourth Buckingham Smokehouse Bar-B-Q, according to Darryl Campbell, owner, manager and partner in the restaurant.

A rustic-lodge effect will be the interior decor with custom-made table and bench seating for 65 to 70 people on two levels, according to Campbell. The exterior features brick, stone and a shake roof. The renovation is being done by Harrington Construction of Nixa. The Nixa Buckingham Bar-B-Q is located at 112 E. Mt. Vernon (Highway 14). The dining area is about 2,000 square feet, with half the seating on a mezzanine level. Campbell said the hours will likely be 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday with an earlier closing on Sunday, "but we will see what the market demands." Up to 12 employees will be hired to staff the restaurant.

The menu will feature premium smoked meats, side dishes and desserts. Application has been made for a Missouri resort liquor license, which will allow the restaurant to sell beer and a "slim selection of alcohol," according to Campbell.

However, he said the Nixa restaurant will concentrate on family dining, and he hopes to draw barbecue aficionados from south Springfield, Nixa, Ozark and beyond.

"This is a progressive area. We've received a warm reception so far. People are very excited to see us down here," Campbell said. The phone number is 724-2344.

Parks master plan being developed

Butler, Rosenbury & Partners Inc. of Springfield is working with the city of Republic to develop a parks master plan. After an open house to gain citizen input July 15, the architectural firm will present its master plan to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Aug. 3.

After the master plan is completed, specific site planning will begin for key park sites, followed by specific designs for new facilities, according to a release from Butler Rosenbury.

Prior to working on the master plan, the firm completed a situation analysis and facility inventory of the parks and recreation properties in Republic.

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