After recently closing at least 4 stores, Brown Derby shuttering National Avenue location

Greta Cross, Springfield News-Leader
·2 min read
The Brown Derby at 506 S. National Ave. near the campus of Missouri State is closing.
The Brown Derby at 506 S. National Ave. near the campus of Missouri State is closing.

Springfield's venerable Brown Derby Liquor Store chain is downsizing, with the closure of several Springfield locations in recent months, including the Brown Derby Central near Missouri State's campus.

Brown Derby Central, located at 506 S. National Ave. started its first day of liquidation sales on Wednesday; all products are 50% off. The store is operating under limited hours, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Previously, the store was open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

A Brown Derby spokesperson told the News-Leader on Wednesday that the chain had no comment on why it is closing its stores or the closing date of the Brown Derby Central location.

The interior of the Brown Derby at 2047 S. Campbell Ave. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. The store is permanently closed.
The interior of the Brown Derby at 2047 S. Campbell Ave. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. The store is permanently closed.

Several other Brown Derby locations have closed in recent months, including 1839 E. Bennett St., 701 W. Commercial St. and 2356 E. Chestnut Expressway. The location at 3543 S. Campbell Ave. is also closed, with Bass Pro Shops — started by Johnny Morris in one of his father's Brown Derby stores —looming just north of the now-vacant building.

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The following Brown Derby locations remain open, per phone call confirmations:

  • 1828 N. Glenstone Ave.

  • 1440 W. Republic Road

  • 1380 E. Republic Road

  • 830 W. Mt Vernon St. in Nixa

The Brown Derby Wine Center at 2023 S. Glenstone Ave. is also remaining open. These locations are operating under normal hours.

The Brown Derby at 506 S. National Ave. near the campus of Missouri State is closing.
The Brown Derby at 506 S. National Ave. near the campus of Missouri State is closing.

The Brown Derby Liquor Store chain was founded in 1937 by John A. Morris, Johnny Morris' father. At this time, the elder Morris operated a 24-hour service station called Star Terminal, with a small liquor department, according to the Brown Derby website. Following a fire that destroyed the business in 1939, John started a liquor store business which became Brown Derby.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Brown Derby closes all but five locations in Springfield, Nixa