Branson Talk

It seems like Branson just keeps busier and busier. That's great for those of us who live here because more tourists equal a larger pie for us all to share.

This weekend I was driving around town and for those of you who were here, you know it was a busy weekend on the streets. Traffic everywhere! Even the back roads were busy (especially Green Mountain). As I was sitting there in traffic, I thought to myself, "How much more traffic can Branson handle with it's current infrastructure?" I decided not much more since the traffic on the strip and Green Mountain were at a standstill.

Branson has spent a lot of money developing back roads to help alleviate traffic on Highway 76. Unfortunately, most tourists are afraid to leave the strip for the fear of "getting lost." That's a valid concern as I think back to my first few weeks in Branson and how fearful I was that I would end up in Arkansas without even knowing it. Sure there are plenty of maps but most of them aren't to life and can end up confusing the visitors more than when they first got to town. Selfishly, it makes it much easier for me to get around town since most tourists either don't know about the back roads or are too afraid to use them.

The solution? Build more roads? Branson's hills pose a major problem as cutting through them to build new roads costs millions of dollars. I believe widening existing road systems would be more effective both for the tourist and the taxpayer. Unfortunately, the city of Branson never planned ahead to widen most of the existing major roads like Highway 76. In retrospect I would have passed a new city ordinance (no later than 1990) saying that all new buildings must keep a minimum distance of 50 feet from the strip. With that ordinance in place, the time would eventually have arrived when the strip could have been widened. That won't be happening anytime soon as new buildings like Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theatre are built right up to the edge of the strip.

I know it's probably way too expensive to consider, but I think a light rail running through the main parts of Branson would be sweet. You could have park and rides where people coming into town could just park in a massive park lot just outside the city and take the rail to the shows, hotels, the Landing, etc.

Personally, I will be interested to see what happens to Branson's infrastructure in the future. I guess we'll just keep blasting away limestone hills to build more and more roads across the Ozark Mountains and pray that the visitors will be bold enough to use them.

My Branson Photo Gallery is finally live. I had to do some tweaking but I think it's going to be great. I posted my photos from the Branson Landing and some outdoor ones I've taken over the years. Keep checking back as I put more and more of Branson!

This last weekend I went down and spent the entire evening at the Landing with my wife. The water fountain was up and running and it was nice--nothing compared to the Bellagio in Las Vegas (supposedly the same company designed both). I took a bunch of photos so everyone could see what it looks like. They'll be posted in my gallery within a few days.

We went to Famous Dave's for dinner and it was packed. I don't think their air conditioning was up for the challenge to cool so many bodies as it was pretty warm inside. The BBQ pork and fries were excellent but the corn, mash potatoes, and beans left much to be desired. I asked the waitress if the corn was fresh and crisp. She replied that they only use the freshest and it was very crisp. Well, when the corn on the cob finally arrived it was mushy and bland. I never even had time to tell her because she was so busy I never saw her again until she dropped off the bill on her way by. Anyway, they're probably still getting a lot of the bugs worked out.

I must admit the Landing is quite a cosmetic improvement over the eyesore there before. It looks so nice to have a boardwalk along side lake Taneycomo and something nice to add downtown. It's just that when I step onto the Landing I feel like Dorothy in Oz--I'm not in Kansas anymore! When I'm walking down the street I feel like I'm not in Branson or anywhere near it. It just doesn't 'fit' the Branson culture. The Branson culture, of course, has been changing for some time and it may yet evolve into the modern metro tourist destination from the Ozark mountain hillbilly image. That Ozark mountain hillbilly image has been what has made Branson unique and special--different from any other tourist destination in the country. Now, that image is slowly disappearing although I'm sure some roots will always remain if you know where to look.

Branson Landing represents a new chapter in the history of Branson. A serious plight to attract younger adults, families, and businesses instead of the traditional older folks that come to see the shows. Approximately 80 percent of Branson visitors are repeats and the medium age is around 56. Branson knows it has to do something to increase the diversity of its tourist base and to attract more (much more) first timers. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next ten years to this beautiful tourist destination in the Ozarks...

I just read an article on the Branson Landing in which they quoted Richard Huffman, CEO of HCW Development Co. (company behind the Landing project) as saying "This is more than just shopping, Branson Landing is a true destination experience, an entertainment center."

More than shopping? An entertainment center? I realize they have street performers and a water fountain but calling it an entertainment center? I suppose most women would be highly entertained by 450,000 square feet of shops but I would not. I admit it's nice to see downtown Branson beautified but to me, Branson Landing is just another glorious outdoor mall like in so many other cities. I've seen beautiful outdoor malls in Orlando, Kansas City, Houston, Los Angeles, etc. I don't know if there is a big city around that doesn't have one. Each is different in their own right but several I know of do have water fountains. Whether or not Branson's is bigger and better remains to be seen. But to call the Branson Landing a "destination" doesn't work for me. I don't believe people are going to plan their vacations and tours around a mall. The Branson Landing is like any other glorified mall in just about any other city.

The Branson Landing will pull shoppers from the outlet malls like Tanger and the already struggling Red Roof and Branson Meadow malls. Branson Landing isn't increasing the pie, it's just taking a big chunk from already struggling Branson businesses. I just hope it doesn't really become an "entertainment center" and detract visitors from our 100+ shows. That alone could be the nails in the coffin for dozens of entertainers who are trying to scratch out a living here.

I've put a dynamic news feed on the right side pulling from Google News to find articles about Branson. It's really cool to be able to see what the papers are saying about us (both local and national). I'm just thinking though that it looks too much like Google ads or something. Maybe no one will notice that they're actually newspaper articles....

Great my site isn't even finished and I'm already thinking about redoing it!

By launching this site I hope to share my views of Branson with others--both inside and outside the area. Branson has a unique location in the Ozark Mountains and is conveniently located in the heartland of the United States. The area has gone through countless phases of development from the very beginning with the Mabes and Presleys to the 60 Minutes T.V. special. The area continues to grow but several interesting things are happening.

Branson is becoming less and less the "live entertainment capital of the world" and more of a "mutant tourist hybrid town" where things are constantly changing. In case you haven't noticed, the theatres in town don't sell out like they used to 10 years ago. More and more theatres keep popping up with more and more shows, but tourists (which are also on the rise) are seeing less and less shows. Don't be surprised to walk into any show only to find it a quarter full.

With the exception of its road system, Branson has always tried to cater to the tourist. Businesses are eager to get any kind of business they can and all kinds of half-hatched ideas are put into practice. Thus tourists are finding new things to do besides the traditional shows that put Branson on the map. Branson also has plenty of natural (and cheaper) alternatives to entertainment. The area boasts three lakes, campgrounds, hiking trails, caves, etc. where families can find a great vacation at a fraction of the cost.

I believe that Branson is currently in an identity crisis. Branson doesn't know what it is or what it wants to become. Look at the advertising--it's trying to market to every possible creature that walks upright. It also doesn't know if it wants to be the traditional old Ozark country town or the modern metro area of the region. Take the Branson Landing for example. It's absolutely gorgeous and has beautified old downtown Branson and the lake front properties but does it fit that old country style? Heck no! It reminds me of Orlando or Kansas City. Branson just isn't sure what it wants to become.

Honestly, I could keep going on the future of Branson indefinitely but I need to give my brain a rest. Don't worry though--more to come!