Branson, Missouri Says It's Open For Business A Day After Tornado Strike

The city of Branson wants tourists to know the majority of Branson businesses are undamaged and open for business.

Chamber officials say Branson has more 19,000 lodging units and more than 100 shows and numerous attractions.

The early Wednesday tornado made an impact to those numbers.

Historicdowntown Branson, like shops Dick's 5 and 10, its business as usual there Thursday. But areas along 76 Country Boulevard andBranson Landing have lots of downed trees and shattered glass. 

Shards ofglass are everywhere you step near the Hilton Convention Center. The hotel's 12stories of glass windows provide gorgeous views of Lake Taneycomo, but thepower of the storm shattered the glass and sucked all of that debris straightinto hotel rooms.

The managersays one couple was in a hotel room on the top floor.  That room has glass on three sides.  Glass and even furniture were thrown at thecouple, but miraculously, they're okay and so is everyone else in the hotel.  The bad news, 214 of the 294 rooms aredestroyed. 

See the latest list:

Lodging Properties

• Angel Inn is closed pending repairs
• Best Western Center Pointe Inn is closed pending repairs
• Blue Bayou Hotel is closed pending repairs
• Hall of Fame Motel is closed pending repairs
• Hilton Convention Center Hotel is closed pending repairs
• Kimberling Inn (Kimberling City) is closed pending repairs
• Ramada Inn is closed pending repairs
• Ria Motor Inn is closed pending repairs
• Riverboat Inn is closed pending repairs

Shows

• The Branson Variety Theater is closed pending repairs, affecting current shows for the Twelve Irish Tenors and Four Seasons/Beach Boys Tribute shows
• The Baldknobbers Jamboree opening night is postponed to Thursday March 8 at 8pm. Phones and box office will be open 9am to 4pm Monday through Friday
• The Americana Theatre is closed pending repairs
• Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theatre / Legends in Concert is closed pending repairs
• The Icon Theatre is closed pending repairs

Attractions

• The Track #4 Location for the Track Family Fun Parks is closed pending repairs
• Branson Auto Museum is closed pending repairs
• Branson Veterans Museum is closed pending repairs

Restaurants

• Ahoy's Restaurant (Kimberling City) is closed pending repairs
• Branson Landing's Restaurants are closed pending the reopening of the Branson Landing Promenade
• The Burger Shack on Hwy 76 is closed pending repairs
• Candlestick Inn is closed pending repairs
• Charlie's Steak Ribs and Ale is closed pending repairs
• Level 2 / Clear at Hilton Convention Center is closed pending repairs
• Mazzio's Pizza is closed pending repairs
• Midtown Cafe at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theatre is closed pending repairs
• Montana Mikes on Hwy 76 is closed pending repairs
• Shoney's on Hwy 76 is closed pending repairs
• Starvin Marvins on Hwy 76 is closed pending repairs
• Taco Bell on Hwy 76 is closed pending repairs
• Time-Out Sports Bar is closed pending repairs

Other businesses and organizations

• The Salvation Army Branson Corps is closed pending repairs. Services are being provided by mobile Salvation Army canteens.
• Branson Mall is closed pending repairs
• Jubilee Foods is closed pending repairs
• Port of Kimberling Marina is closed pending repairs
• Wal-Mart on Hwy 76 is closed pending repairs
• 76 Tire and Auto is closed pending repairs

Branson Landing says it has made significant progress in the clean-up of the promenade. 

Officials say the shops along the promenade remained closed on Thursday, but the majority of those shops will be reopened on Friday. 

Bass Pro Shops and Belk reopened Thursday.

2/29/2012 Related Story: EF2 Tornado Tears Through Branson, Missouri