Shoppers buy into Ozarks' retail options

Retail growth along South Glenstone was guided by the 1992 evaluation of the 1990 Census, which added Webster County to Springfield’s Metropolitan Statistical Area, said Ryan Mooney, manager of business development for Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

“When they did that, our (MSA) population increased to over 250,000,” he said, which caused national retailers to take notice. “Look at everything that’s down there – Target, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Chili’s. They’re all national chains that were in an expansion mode. As they were expanding, we were growing and it just kind of matched. That’s where that whole South Glenstone corridor really developed from.”

The thrill of the mall

A significant change at Battlefield Mall, which opened in 1970, was an expansion project in 1982, said Christine Moses, director of mall marketing. “It basically doubled the size to its current size now of almost 1.2 million square feet,” she said.

Prior to 1982, the mall’s anchors were Dillard’s on the north, Montgomery Ward on the south and J.C. Penney on the west. The expansion added Sears and a new Dillard’s, freeing up Dillard’s old space for Famous-Barr.

A 1993 renovation added a new floor and new amenities such as signage, planters, trashcans and an expansion of Sears, Moses said.

The mall’s current roster of stores totals 150, including kiosks. As for the mall’s future, Moses said there are plans under way. "We hope to have a very big announcement here early fall,” she said.

While stores thrive across town, North Town Mall, the 280,000-square-foot mall at Glenstone Avenue and Kearney Street, remains quiet.

“The mall is virtually empty. There’s a lot of reasoning behind it, which I don’t want to go into at this point because it’s not been revealed by the owners,” said Rebecca Thomas, property manager/broker for both North Town Mall and South Oaks Center.

Wal-Mart owns North Town Mall.

On the outskirts

Shoppers in many surrounding towns no longer need to travel to Springfield.

Republic’s new shopping centers include Merchant’s Park, Town Center Plaza and Town Center East. Shoppers in Ozark now have 65 Marketplace and Ozark Centre and its Wal-Mart Supercenter. Ozark’s downtown is being revitalized with new shops.

“People are realizing now that there’s a lot to be offered in the downtown centers. We’re seeing a reverse reaction,” said Bobbi Wixson, owner of Hazel’s Flower and Gift Shop, on Ozark’s square.

Branson Landing and Branson Hills will bring more shopping to a growing tourist area, including duplicates of many Springfield stores such as Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works and Coldwater Creek.

But Mooney isn’t worried about Springfield’s economy taking a hit.

“If you look at our area of economic influence, it reaches (nearly) 930,000 people in 27 counties, five of which are in Arkansas,” he said. “If Harrison or North Little Rock or Conway … had this huge expansion, that may pull some of that area away from our fringes, but we’re still at the center of that area that people are driving to.”

Trendy ‘tweens

Two important trends in retail, Moses said, are sales to the‘tween market – shoppers age 8-14 – and the gift card.

“The ‘tweens are a very strong market segment. Not only do they have more expendable income, but they also influence the purchasing decisions of their parents, hence getting into the revolution of gift cards,” Moses said.

Nonexistent 25 years ago, gift cards have replaced gift certificates and even helped perk up sluggish January sales figures.

“Traditionally 25 years ago, January sales were a little slow. Now, with the revolution of the gift card, so many people get them for Christmas, and they’re spending them after Christmas in January, which is boosting those sales,” Moses said.