Retail openings continue at Branson Landing

Huffman, who spoke at the Branson Board of Aldermen meeting Monday night, said 70 of the development’s stores and two of its restaurants have opened since Branson Landing opened to the public May 26. Another 32 stores and restaurants have yet to open.

Belk department store, the retail district’s north anchor tenant and the first store to open, is running 70 percent above its sales projections since opening April 5, Huffman said at the meeting.

Construction at the landing’s convention center and hotel also is on schedule. The venue is slated to open in August 2007.

Following the board meeting, Branson Landing’s Transportation Development District board, made up of aldermen, met to expand the transportation district by four acres. That includes one acre of land formerly leased by Joplin’s Empire District Electric Co. and three acres acquired by the city since the district was formed in April 2005.

The taxing district allows Branson Landing to collect revenue from a 1 percent sales tax to help pay the TIF bonds used to finance its construction.