Shopping -- Get behind and push (Mansfield: to buy, place, veterinarian)

[tambre]

Originally Posted by ozarksboy

You know what would be great? Instead of one big ole huge mall in Springfield, how about moderate malls dotting the Ozarks? Wouldn't that be wonderful? Then every town could have an Orange Julius.

As far as large chain stores, I wouldn't mind a Barnes & Noble nearby (have a discount card), or a Target, or a Bob Evans Restaurant (those blueberry vanilla cream cheese filled pancakes are my new favorite) Have you ever tried them, delicious! Somewhere along US 60 near Mansfield might be a good place for a new Bob Evans Restaurant...anyone want to open one with me?

[tambre]

Originally Posted by graytabbie

I second the Shetlers comment...they are great! Like a treasure hunt. I often find canned organic foods and baking supplies. Their produce is waay cheaper. Great prices on frozen food too. Just check your expiration dates. Mansfield, Hartville, Mtn. Grove, and Cabool all have crisis thrift stores. Great places to find bargains. Cozumel's in Mountain Grove is pretty good for Mexican food.

Thanks for the post, Graytabbie. Organic stuff is usually kinda pricey, so that would be really terrific finding it at a discount store. I guess my dh and I will have some exploring to do in Mountain Grove (and also check out the local thrift stores). Is Cozumel's open for both lunch and dinner?

[tambre]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

But malls don't attract Trader Joe's so what's the point?

By the way, re: the s***kicker comment in another thread. I was a real one, thank you very much; an actual cowboy. Worked the remaining 40,000 acres of the original 200,000 acre cattle ranch with about 5,000 head of cattle we ran - down from 15,000.

That's what happens when modernization, urban sprawl, development and "civilization" encroach on natural areas.

Curmudgeon, There's lots of land for horseback riding and cattle farming (oh, and of course, poo kicking) in the Ozarks. You can even shop for cattle! Can anyone recommend a good place to shop for cattle and horses, by the way?

[OA 5599]

Originally Posted by tambre

Curmudgeon, There's lots of land for horseback riding and cattle farming (oh, and of course, poo kicking) in the Ozarks. You can even shop for cattle! Can anyone recommend a good place to shop for cattle and horses, by the way?

Mountain Grove has a decent sized livestock auction barn. West Plains has a huge one. Also, check out the Horse Trader, a local free classified paper: The Ozark Horse Trader It serves most of south-central Missouri and a few counties in Arkansas, and you can find ads for horses, cattle, tractors, cars/trucks, and just about everything else.

Regarding Shetlers, I had found a particular brand of organic tortilla chips here that I loved, but cost something like $4 a bag. Last time I was home, I noticed my parents had picked up the exact same brand of chips for $0.89/bag at Shetlers. You can find some good deals on higher-end or organic foods there if you look around...but as another poster mentioned, be sure to check the expiration date.

You are going to have to drive to Springfield for a Target. They are rare outside of cities just about everywhere. Wal-Mart controls the big-box retail in most of rural Missouri, with what is left in the market being served by smaller chains (such as Dollar General).

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by tambre

Curmudgeon, There's lots of land for horseback riding and cattle farming (oh, and of course, poo kicking) in the Ozarks. You can even shop for cattle! Can anyone recommend a good place to shop for cattle and horses, by the way?

Ya gotta kick poo in the pastures. Otherwise grubs 'n blowflies breed underneath the patties!

[tambre]

Hi OA,

Thank you for the livestock shopping information. That Ozarks Horse Trader Link is awesome. I'm getting excited about visiting Shetlers....sounds like a fun place to search for a bargain. (Will be mindful of the expiration dates, as suggested).

[tambre]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Ya gotta kick poo in the pastures. Otherwise grubs 'n blowflies breed underneath the patties!

Hence the name of Brad Pitt's Highschool.

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by ozarksboy

You know what would be great? Instead of one big ole huge mall in Springfield, how about moderate malls dotting the Ozarks? Wouldn't that be wonderful? Then every town could have an Orange Julius.

Something wrong with Orange Julius...?

Hmmmm.

[northbayeric]

Out in sunny CA and some other places outside of Missouri, we've got Jamba Juice! Good stuff, but Orange Julius is way more within my budget. Great alternative to McDonald's for a 16-year-old just entering the workforce for the first time.

[northbayeric]

And while we're on the topic of 16-year-olds entering the work force for the first time, how about a Hot Dog on a Stick location in every town? You've got to hand it to those folks who put on those loud yellow, red and blue uniforms and hats! 25 years ago I would've died of embarrassment wearing one of those outfits, but as a near 41-year-old now, I think they help make you a good team member and make you not so obsessed with what others think of you.

(Wondering what Ozarksboy likes on his hot dogs?.....) For me, it's ketchup, German-style stoneground mustard (Beaver and Inglehoffer are both great), and NO RELISH.