Several new businesses coming to Branson West, city makes plans for future growth
Dollar Tree and Casey’s will open near the intersection of Highway 76 and Business 13.
August 12, 2021
Kadee Brosseau DeCourley
Changes are happening in Branson West, especially near the intersection of Highway 76 and Business 13.
Not long ago, Branson West Marine and Powersports opened the doors on a brand new building on a lot just south of Walmart. Now, two more businesses are setting up shop nearby.
“Casey’s, which is scheduled to open the first week of October, is probably our most anticipated storefront. Then, we have Dollar Tree not far behind it,” Branson West City Administrator Roger Calkins said.
Calkins said there has been somewhat of a “mini-boom” in development recently in Branson West.
“We have a lot of things going on,” Calkins said.
Calkins is new to Branson West, too. He’s been on the job for less than two months. However, he’s coming on board during a time when the city has quite a bit of momentum.
“We have two dispensaries. Thrive, which will be opening very soon. Then, our second dispensary, I’m not sure about the opening date on it, but it’ll be coming along shortly. So, there are some big things happening there,” Calkins said. “We are also in the process of putting in, hopefully, a pickleball court and a trail network through the Ozarks around Branson West here. We are pretty excited about that.”
The city plans to put the pickleball courts on the former Lakeview Hotel property behind McDonald’s.
Calkins said as the area continues to grow, the location of the heart of Branson West makes it a natural fit for recent development.
“I do believe some of the success of this community is based on the junction of Highway 76 and Business 13, being at the very west end of what is known as The Strip. We are at the very west end of the Highway 76 Strip. That helps us, by the natural flow of things,” Calkins said.
He said that Branson West is catering to both tourists and locals with a variety of new developments in the works, like a convenience store, retail shops, and public recreation areas.
“I think as far as retail; it could go either way as far as hometown folks [or visitors]. Whereas Auto Zone is oriented toward hometown folks, people who live here. Looking forward, I think, a mix of those different types of business is important,” Calkins said.
However, Calkins said it’s not only current development that city leaders are excited about, but also the future growth of Branson West.
“Looking for the vision moving forward for this community. We are plotting it out now instead of just haphazardly going about it,” Calkins said.
The city has assembled a group of locals, business owners, and community leaders whose goal is to plan for the city’s future.
“We have started a comprehensive planning committee, which meets one Tuesday a month,” Calkins said.
The city has also hired an engineering firm to help in the process of creating Branson West’s new comprehensive plan, which Calkins said was overdue for being updated.
“We have to plan ahead. If you stand still, you’re just going to be stuck in the mud. You always need to be moving, keep moving forward,” Calkins said.
Kadee Brosseau DeCourley
Changes are happening in Branson West, especially near the intersection of Highway 76 and Business 13.
Not long ago, Branson West Marine and Powersports opened the doors on a brand new building on a lot just south of Walmart. Now, two more businesses are setting up shop nearby.
“Casey’s, which is scheduled to open the first week of October, is probably our most anticipated storefront. Then, we have Dollar Tree not far behind it,” Branson West City Administrator Roger Calkins said.
Calkins said there has been somewhat of a “mini-boom” in development recently in Branson West.
“We have a lot of things going on,” Calkins said.
Calkins is new to Branson West, too. He’s been on the job for less than two months. However, he’s coming on board during a time when the city has quite a bit of momentum.
“We have two dispensaries. Thrive, which will be opening very soon. Then, our second dispensary, I’m not sure about the opening date on it, but it’ll be coming along shortly. So, there are some big things happening there,” Calkins said. “We are also in the process of putting in, hopefully, a pickleball court and a trail network through the Ozarks around Branson West here. We are pretty excited about that.”
The city plans to put the pickleball courts on the former Lakeview Hotel property behind McDonald’s.
Calkins said as the area continues to grow, the location of the heart of Branson West makes it a natural fit for recent development.
“I do believe some of the success of this community is based on the junction of Highway 76 and Business 13, being at the very west end of what is known as The Strip. We are at the very west end of the Highway 76 Strip. That helps us, by the natural flow of things,” Calkins said.
He said that Branson West is catering to both tourists and locals with a variety of new developments in the works, like a convenience store, retail shops, and public recreation areas.
“I think as far as retail; it could go either way as far as hometown folks [or visitors]. Whereas Auto Zone is oriented toward hometown folks, people who live here. Looking forward, I think, a mix of those different types of business is important,” Calkins said.
However, Calkins said it’s not only current development that city leaders are excited about, but also the future growth of Branson West.
“Looking for the vision moving forward for this community. We are plotting it out now instead of just haphazardly going about it,” Calkins said.
The city has assembled a group of locals, business owners, and community leaders whose goal is to plan for the city’s future.
“We have started a comprehensive planning committee, which meets one Tuesday a month,” Calkins said.
The city has also hired an engineering firm to help in the process of creating Branson West’s new comprehensive plan, which Calkins said was overdue for being updated.
“We have to plan ahead. If you stand still, you’re just going to be stuck in the mud. You always need to be moving, keep moving forward,” Calkins said.