Open for Business: Great Southern Bank

Great Southern Bank
Great Southern Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: GSBC) held an Oct. 20 grand opening for its new branch that replaced an existing facility at the corner of Benton Avenue and Chestnut Expressway, near Drury University’s campus. Construction began in March for the 2,600-square-foot building at 723 N. Benton Ave. The company transitioned that same month into a temporary mobile banking facility at the site where demolition of its former 1,500-square-foot building commenced. Ace Construction was general contractor for the branch, said Great Southern Bank Communications Manager Jennifer Russell, who declined to disclose the project cost. Stacy Fender, the bank’s vice president and director of communications and marketing, said Olivia Cave leads the six-employee branch as manager. The Benton and Chestnut location is one of Great Southern Bank’s 12 facilities in Springfield, according to its website. The branch amenities include a live teller ATM and a drive-thru commercial lane.
Phone: 417-895-4555
Web: GreatSouthernBank.com

Dutch Bros Coffee
A bit more than a week after a Dutch Bros Coffee location opened in Springfield, the drive-thru coffee chain launched a Branson store Nov. 15 at 606 W. Main St. Tim Roberts, operator of both the Branson shop and the 3840 W. Sunshine St. location in Springfield, said each is owned by Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE: BROS). The Branson shop is next door to a Whataburger restaurant and near the street’s intersection with U.S. Highway 65. Roberts said Overland Park, Kansas-based Bear Global Construction was general contractor of the roughly 1,000-square-foot stand-alone structure in Branson. Declining to disclose startup costs, he said the Branson store has around 40 employees, led by manager Micah Simonds. Along with coffee options such as lattes, espressos and cold brew, Dutch Bros’ drink menu includes energy drinks, iced tea, lemonade, shakes, smoothies and sodas. The Branson store’s food menu consists of treats such as an orange cranberry muffin top. Most drink prices range $5-$8.
Web: DutchBros.com

Aldi
Batavia, Illinois-based discount grocery chain Aldi made its Ozark debut with a Dec. 10 soft opening and a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 11. The roughly 12,000-square-foot store at 1979 W. Waverly St. is the first commercial tenant to open at Ozark Marketplace, developed by Brad Thessing of Thessing Commercial Properties LLC. The grocery store is fronted by a Plaza Tire Service location currently under construction at the development located on the north side of South Street, just east of U.S. Highway 65. Thessing said a McDonald’s is on the way beside Plaza Tire, while Dutch Bros Coffee and a Casey’s will be coming out of the ground in the first quarter of 2026, followed by a dental office and a Waffle House. An Aldi spokesperson said the Ozark store employs around 15-20 full- and part-time associates. The company also operates three stores in Springfield and one each in Bolivar, Branson, Nixa and Republic, according to its website.
Phone: 855-955-2534
Web: Aldi.us