Work to start in May on new B&B theater

Apr. 23—Construction will start in May on the new B&B Theatre in Joplin.

The project developer, Woodsonia Joplin, is "still working through the permit process with the city, but we are planning to start site work in May for the theater," said Carson Stratman, project director for Woodsonia.

An initial $12 million building permit application was filed in early March with the city's building department for part of the project, which is expected to cost $33.6 million in all.

The theater is to be built in 32nd Street Place, south of 32nd Street on Hammons Boulevard.

While plans still call for eight screens and amenities such as the Marquee Bar & Grille, Outtakes Arcade, and outdoor lawn games with a large patio outside the theater, more features have been added, said Stratman and Paul Farnsworth, executive director of communications for the theater chain.

"We are planning to do the full theater experience as part of that and, as with any new and updated theater, every single seat will be reclining, heated seats, which will be a really nice amenity," Stratman said.

While regular movie concession food items will be available, the Marquee Bar & Grille also will offer hot food such as pizza, hamburgers, "and additional food you wouldn't get at a traditional theater as well as a full-service bar unique to the Joplin market," Stratman said.

Farnsworth, a former Joplin area resident, said the theater will be equipped with the latest in technology, including laser projection. "It creates the most dynamic picture in the marketplace. It has the truest blacks and most vibrant colors," and a prolonged life in projection technology.

A decision also has been made to double the size of the arcade game area within the theater. "That will allow a wider offering of family fun entertainment for a larger audience," Farnsworth said.

There also will be the addition of a new recreational feature that was not in the original plan.

"We are planning to add duckpin bowling. We thought that would be a great add-on to bring another whole new service," to the Joplin market, Farnsworth said. Duckpin bowling uses shorter lanes with smaller, stocky shaped pins and smaller bowling balls that are about the size of a grapefruit.

"It has 12 lanes of minibowling. It's a new craze. There are traditional bowling alleys tearing out their lanes to install the duckpin bowling," Farnsworth said. "It is a more family-friendly game," that is easier for kids to play but also fun for adults, he said. "That is definitely an exciting addition."

Bowlers will be able to enjoy a higher level of service with waiters taking their orders and delivering food and beverages to the bowling lanes.

In addition, the developer and theater chain have decided to enlarge the rooms that can be reserved for birthday parties and corporate events.

"We just think there is an opportunity in the market to bring more family entertainment there," Farnsworth said.

Stratman said the theater will take about a year to build. "We are going to do everything we can do to get it open by the summer of 2025," he added.

Two other components of 32nd Street Place are ready.

Menards opened its home improvement store there last week.

"That was fantastic to get them open. They are a huge driver of the project," Stratman said.

In addition, the Boulevard Apartments are open for occupancy and the first tenants will be moving in next month.

That complex includes two four-story buildings with 89 units each. The buildings have elevators. In addition, there are six 12-plex buildings with large units that have attached garages. There is a separate clubhouse with a swimming pool and workout gym. That building also houses the on-site leasing office, Stratman said.

Farnsworth said that B&B "is very excited about this project," to build the Joplin theater with the latest amenities.

"It's a community we understand and most of the people who work for B&B," are from the Joplin and Neosho area, where B&B has a current theater. "We're hopeful Joplin will rally."