YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
by Carol Harris, Branson area, and Mary Engler-Guccione, Joplin area
A longtime business that stepped foot in the area nearly 35 years ago has closed.
Bob's Shoe Wearhouse closed its doors Oct. 15, making room for Carthage Ford Mercury.
Bob and Wendy Christensen opened the business in 1964 and expanded from Carthage into 14 locations throughout six states.
At the height of their business in the early 1990s, the company had gross annual income of $7 million.
The decision to close came after years of competing with a boom of factory outlets throughout the United States, the owners said.
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