Sportsman’s Park to open, Bates’ project stalled

Jackson loves college football above all other sports. Ole Miss, his alma mater, is his favorite team. But ask him what it was that motivated him to create the Sportsman’s Park bar and grill at 1729 E. Seventh St., and he’ll tell you it was a love of all sports. The new establishment will open Sept. 5 at its location at the intersection of St. Louis Avenue and Seventh Street — just in time for professional and college football.

“We want it to be an entire sports atmosphere,” Jackson said of the establishment he co-owns with partner Dan Whitworth. Jackson’s father, G.W. Jackson, and Whitworth own the restaurant’s property through their D&G Investment company.

“If you’re a sports fan, this is the place to be,” Ryan Jackson said. “Everything has to do with sports, from table settings and upholstery to our wait staff’s outfits.”

A similar sports bar was to be developed at University Plaza at 3929 E. Seventh St., but developer Jason Bates said that location has presented some “unforeseen problems.”

“It’s up in the air whether or not it will get done at all now,” Bates said. “We should know something for sure in the next (two) weeks.”

If the problems are figured out and plans move forward, the sports bar will inhabit about 8,000 square feet of the plaza. Bates and G.W. Jackson announced plans for the sports establishments about the same time earlier this year, but while Bates’ plans have been met by unexpected roadblocks, Jackson’s development of the building that formerly housed the Red Lion has progressed.

“The only thing left is the rafters,” Ryan Jackson said of the old building. “We’ve even put in new flooring and drains.”

The original estimated project cost, according to G.W. Jackson, was about $750,000. The interior, Ryan Jackson said will be unique to Joplin. It’s name is a reference to the original grounds for the St. Louis Cardinals and Browns baseball teams, and there’s a mural painted on the wall by Joplin native Natalie Wiseman as an homage to the former park.

The main attraction will be 18 flat-screen LCD televisions throughout the establishment. A special feature of the bar and grill is the wireless speakers that are available for each table and can be tuned to one of six stations that will be playing throughout the restaurant.

Ryan Jackson said he hopes the restaurant will become a destination for families, area businessmen and women, and anybody who wants to enjoy sports and eat “good food.”

“We have DirecTV and cable both, so if it’s on a channel we’ll have it,” he said. “There are a few places around here that are too much bar, and we want to be more of a bar and grill.”

The food, Ryan Jackson said, will be comparable to restaurants such as Applebee’s or Ruby Tuesday — “with sandwiches and burgers and some entrees, like steak or pasta.” There will also be a full bar with 12 different domestic beers on tap. Hours will be from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Those hours are not set in stone, however, Ryan Jackson said, as some nights games may run longer and the establishment will stay open until specific games are finished — such as Monday Night Football.

Ryan Jackson said there are tentative plans for a ribbon cutting on Sept. 13, and that he and the three managers — Pat VanWie, Penny Lloyd, and Marsha Little — are discussing some promotions for the weekends immediately following the ribbon cutting.