In a new area, finding both basic stores and hidden shopping treasures can be a challenge. From department stores to chicken feed to Thai curry paste to lumber, let's go shopping in Southwest Missouri!
Malls
Southwest Missouri is anchored by Joplin on the west and Springfield on the east. Springfied and Joplin each have one main mall. You can find just about everything, unless you want a higher-end department store such as Saks or Nordstrom. The usual mall and chain-store suspects are well-represented. You can find out more about Springfield's Battlefield Mall, and about Joplin's Northpark Mall at their sites.
Which Small Towns Have What?
One of my biggest challenges in moving to this area was remembering which small town had which particular chain stores. Call me memory-challenged, but maybe this will help you not drive to the wrong town looking for something.
Wal-Mart
Whether you love it or hate it, everyone wants to know...where's the nearest Wal-Mart? You can certainly do a store search on their website, but just for your quick reference, here are the Southwest Missouri towns that have a Wal-Mart:
- Springfield and its suburbs Republic, Ozark, and Nixa.
- Joplin, its suburb Webb City and nearby Carthage.
- The central small towns of Aurora, Monett, Cassville, Neosho and Lamar.
- Toward the edges of my territory: Bolivar, Branson, and Branson West.
Building Supplies
If you're used to running down the street to Lowe's or Home Depot at all hours, 7 days a week, you'll need to do a little more planning here before you start that Southwest Missouri home remodeling project.
- Home Depot: Springfield, Joplin and Branson.
- Lowe's: Monett, Neosho, Carthage, Republic, Ozark, Carthage, and of course Joplin and Springfield.
- Sutherlands: Aurora, Joplin, Springfield
- Meek's: Mt. Vernon, Springfield, Republic, Nixa, Joplin, Monett, Neosho, Greenfield.
Meeks stores generally are not open Sundays, and have curtailed hours on Saturday.
Grocers off the Beaten Path
If you think that Southwest Missouri is devoid of international grocers, health food stores or other such products, you're wrong. You just have to look for them a little harder.
Fox Farm Whole Foods in Joplin is a good one-stop shop for health food and international food items. Located on 32nd Street in Joplin, it's easy to find. Business 71, which is the main north/south road (also known as Rangeline Road), crosses 32nd. Turn west on 32nd from Rangeline and go a block or so to Fox Farms on the north side.
Oak Street Health & Herbs in Carthage is a smaller shop. I haven't been there in a while, but I remember they had good oils for soapmaking.
In Monett, you'll find the Herb Depot & Organic Market.
Springfield's main health food grocer is MaMa Jean's, with two locations.
How About a Nice Quilting Shop?
I know two good ones, and I'm sure there are others I haven't found yet.
To the west, in Carthage, you'll find Block by Block Quilt Shop. It's a beautiful, well-organized shop in a classic stone house at 530 W. Fir Rd. in Carthage. They have billboards out on the highway that say "Scream until your husband stops the car!". Whatever method you choose to make sure that your vehicle stops there, I recommend that you go.
In Mount Vernon, on the square at 207 E. Dallas, you'll find a Ben Franklin store. Now, don't be fooled...Turner's Calico Country is in the back. Not as large a store as Block by Block, but a lot of very nice quilting fabrics here. Plus, from my point of view it certainly doesn't hurt that they sell homemade fudge up in the front of the store! Other craft items can be found here too.
Do you know something I don't know? Email and tell me about a Southwest Missouri shopping treasure I haven't found yet. I'd be glad to post it here, especially if it's tucked away in a small town.