The Springfield News-Leader from Springfield, Missouri • Page 46

1.1 -n) 4E February 15, 2004 FROM PAGE 1E Sunday News-Leader Branson time-share condos feed economy Rigo Martinez cuts siding for new condos at Branson's Falls Village Resort, where 42 new condominium units are going up for the time-share operation. Last year, vacation "exchangers" accounted for 97,765 room nights in Branson time-shares. ground. They're also upgrading decor, food and merchandise, Rau said. "Every aspect of Celebration City is going to another level," she added.

Time-share thriving The time-share condominium business continues to have a strong impact on Branson's economy. Time-share condos accounted for 37 percent or just over $23 million of Branson's total construction values in 2003. Last year, Branson was the fourth-most-requested time-share location in the country, after Orlando, Hawaii and Las Vegas, according to a survey by the American Resort Development Association, which represents the time-share industry. There are about 18 time-share resorts in Branson. The five resorts surveyed reported that nearly 154,000 people came to Branson for time-share tours.

To house and entertain those visitors, those companies spent $10 million on area hotel rooms and another $10 million on tickets to local attractions. The five employ 2,700 full-and part-time workers with an annual average payroll of $54 million. At Falls Village Resort, 42 new condominium units are going up beside the 72 already there, said project director Dave Mattix. "We've developed enough time-share here to the point that it really starts to feed itself," Mattix said. The town's 2,000 units offer enough space to allow people who own time at resorts in other cities to find the vacation slots they want here, Mattix said.

Last year, those "exchangers" accounted for 97,765 room nights in Branson time-shares. People who have bought here return. And prospective customers are still coming. Branson has what the baby-boom generation wants in a time-share site, Mattix said. "A key element when people purchase time-share these days is a resort atmosphere that's controlled and secure.

They feel good about coming to Branson." BRANSON, from Page IE the "Medical Mile" on Missouri 248. To provide space for business support services from title companies to attorneys, at least four new office complexes are going in. This also looks to be a record year for construction of new restaurants with five already under way and at least four others in the works but not yet announced. These join Branson's current tally of 412 eating establishments capable of seating 35,000 people, according to figures compiled by the city health and finance departments. And new-home construction jumped in 2003 with 53 single-family homes being built.

Branson has become a prime retirement choice for baby boomers, said Realtor Ken Coleman, who with his wife, Debbie, owns Coleman Co. Retiring baby boomers are coming from 20 major cities within an easy drive of Branson. Attractions include lower home prices, low taxes, good medical facilities, a safe place with beautiful scenery and plenty to do, Coleman said. And they're not too far from their grandchildren. "If the word really gets out about Branson, we haven't even begun to see the growth," Coleman said.

AT THE MALL When Brad Petersen purchased Branson Mall a year ago, he planned to upgrade the 1980s vintage look to something more upscale. "My hopes are to have it look like a mall in Las Vegas," Petersen said. "It'll be a major face-lift from top to bottom and side to side." A visible sign of the change will be the new $188,000 video marquee that Missouri Neon will install this spring. But it's the opening of Branson's second Ruby Tuesday inside the mall that has the staff excited at Maurices. The clothing store that caters to the 16-30 age range has been part of the mall for 15 years.

But winters are a slow time, said co-manager Cara Conway. "We're excited to have a big-name restaurant that will draw people into the mall," Conway said. "I'm real excited about the salad bar." Conway said the store, which normally closes at 8 p.m. during Wn 1 CHRISTINA DICKEN NEWS-LEADER Cara Conway, co-manager of Maurices in the Branson Mall, is excited about the arrival of a Ruby Tuesday's restaurant in the mall. CHRISTINA DICKEN NEWS-LEADER HCW also is the company developing Branson Landing.

President Rick Huffman said Dixie Station will also have a gift shop and ticket outlet. "It'll be two stories, all brick and look like an old town center," Huffman said. New thrills Herschend Family Entertainment Corp. has spent $800,000 for two new rides that will be erected within the next few weeks at Celebration City. The amusement park that opened last year met its goal of attracting 500,000 visitors the first year, said spokeswoman Lisa Rau.

"Celebration City did what we hoped it would do, and that's why we decided to make this investment," Rau said. "It attracted families as well as new visitors. It gave people one more very active reason to visit Branson." The Chaos puts riders in cars suspended on a platform twirling and tilting at a 60-de-gree angle. On the Flying Circus, riders control the climb or dive of circus-themed gondolas swinging 80 feet above the Wondering if a qualified through your door? If 1 1 Major projects Here are some of the projects permitted in January by the city of Branson's building department: $1.5 million Dixie Station with four restaurants and gift shops $1.2 million Krispy Kreme Doughnuts $1 million Ruby Tuesday inside Branson Mall $800,000 Two thrill rides at Celebration City $403,000 Swimming pool at Pointe Royale $296,000 new parking lot at Skaggs Community Health Center STILL HUNGRY? Fuddruckers, Coldstone Creamery, Subway and another restaurant not yet announced will be built by HCW Development Co. at Dixie Station.

The center at the former site of a go-kart track is under construction just west of Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede dinner attraction. I i 1 1 1 2004 peak season, may extend its hours to match the restaurant's. That could mean more work for her. "But I don't care. I'm just ready to get some business in here," Conway said.

candidate will ever walk time is of the essence, Brutal 2003 season has toy makers worried Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, which plans to open this fall. The North Carolina company founded in 1937 has not yet decided on a site for the shop, said Amber Hensley of Noble and Associates, the Springfield marketing firm that represents Krispy Kreme locally. "It's a great area to have a Krispy Kreme with all the visitors who come," Hensley said. H-VACA We Service AH Makes Models. Enjoy Maximum Comfort at Maximum Savings! With a Qualifying Healthy Climate Indoor Air Product From LENNOX Excellence by Sejip Offer eipirts 31 2AM Call Today 886-2808 www.h-vac.net don't wait any longer.

Join the News-Leader Career Fair and discover all the opportunities that await. Meet potential Ice, Aid More to eat Ruby Tuesday opted for the second location because the first Ruby Tuesday, opened in 1994 on Missouri 76, has been successful, said communications manager Perrin Anderson. The 9,800 square feet that had been occupied by Crafts Country is larger than the standard Ruby Tuesday. It will seat 436 people and provide 200 full-and part-time jobs. Construction will start March 1, Anderson said.

The company considers factors including population density, retail and industrial growth and traffic, Anderson said. Branson fit all of those criteria. The restaurant will offer Ruby Tuesday's new "Smart Eating" menu of more than 30 items tailored for people on low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets. So after diners have finished their low-carb mashed cauliflower, they'll be able to drive through Wheels T-Wrecks playset for $29.74 instead of the original $49.88, while the price of Play Along's Sing-Along Care Bears fell to $14.99 from $24.99. Wal-Mart used the toys as a loss leader to woo shoppers to other aisles elsewhere in the store.

Discount rivals including Target Corp. followed, but other stores that could not compete ended up canceling orders and advertisements. Manufacturers are worried about 2004. "This sets the bar this year," moaned Jay Foreman, CEO of Play Along. The $20 billion traditional toy industry suffered a 3 percent decline in sales last year, according to analyst estimates.

Meanwhile, prices fell 4.3 percent on top of a 9.3 percent decline in 2002, according to the Labor Department. Those who still want to have a good relationship with Wal-Mart will need to be diplomatic; with $256.03 billion in sales last year, the company has unprecedented power and offers a chance for big sales that manufacturers cannot ignore. Our pool 14 mile I TOYS, from Page IE percent share of the toy market, it remains to be seen whether these strategies will be effective. Many manufacturers who wanted to speak anonymously for fear of losing the discounter's business said there is only so much they can do. Setting prices with retailers is illegal under antitrust laws.

And Karen Burk, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman, said: "Our focus will continue to be what it has always been, and that is delivering value to our customers, and that will not change." The pricing issue is expected to be a key concern of manufacturers and retailers at the American International Toy Fair, the industry product expo that officially begins today. Toy price wars have always been part of the holiday season, but 2003 was even more brutal than expected. In September, Wal-Mart started by dramatically reducing prices on more than a dozen hot toys, six weeks earlier than usual. The retailer sold Mattel's Hot candidates, do onsite interviews, and find the employees that fit your needs. call your employment Dillard at 837-1901 March 11,2004 Ozarks Career Expo March 23, 2004 careerbuildef Job on the wsb, in the pepar, and on TY.

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