MRN Top 10 Business Stories: Death of entrepreneur, creation of golf facility top most-read list
The business landscape of Quincy changed dramatically in 2024, though the city won’t realize some of those changes until the next year or two. Tom Marx’s impact can be seen by development, past and current, throughout the city, and the impact of his death remains to be seen. One of the biggest sports developments Quincy has seen in many years took place at the Knights of Columbus grounds. More development on Broadway gained momentum, and everybody seems to get excited about a new restaurant or bar opening.
Listed below are this year’s top stories, as determined by MRN analytics.
1. Tom Marx sold everything from produce to furniture to Christmas trees as he expanded his business portfolio. His thumbprint is all along Broadway, Quincy’s main thoroughfare. Retail centers, old and new, are part of the Marx catalog. He worked with several local governments and development organizations to bring businesses to the area. He turned small fireworks stands in Missouri into the Fireworks Superstore, a mammoth operation on U.S. 61 south of Hannibal that sells fireworks globally on a wholesale and retail basis. Marx died Nov. 10. He was 74.
2. Trevor Beck, Nick Hiland and Kelby Rescinito reached a deal in February with Knights of Columbus 583 officials to lease the driving range and par-3 golf course at 700 S. 36th. The practice tee areas at the driving range were converted into 30 covered heated bays inside a 300-foot wide building that golfers use throughout the year. Players hit electronically tracked golf balls and automatically scored drives as they play a variety of interactive target games or on simulated courses. The faciliy opened in August. “This is a shot in the arm for golf at the K of C that was much needed,” Beck said.
3. Business licenses for the Dutch Country Store and Baum Family Fun Center, previously Ten Pin Alleys, were revoked by the Hannibal City Council on March 5, and Arby’s was granted a two-week extension to renew its business license. Baum Family Fun Center eventually re-opened, and Arby’s eventually renewed its license.
4. On his “Frankie Say” podcast, Frankie Murphy Giesing talked with Steve and Billie Goodwin about “Maestro’s”, their new restaurant that opened in July at 938 Maine. That site most recently was the location of Pop’s Pizza. The longtime Tiramisu employees honored their former boss, Roberto Stellino, by opening their Italian eatery and naming it after him.
5. Roberto Leon, who has two other restaurants with the same Los Charros name in Rushville and Havana, bought the building at 3311 Broadway that most recently was the site of IHOP. He spent approximately $200,000 to renovate the building to open the Mexican bar and grill in August. “I’ve been looking here but couldn’t find anything I liked,” he said. “But I like this location. I know a lot of customers from Quincy, and they know me pretty well. I know people from Rushville will come here, too.”
6. Owner James Baum told the Hannibal City Council he and his family had received threats, both online and in person, since the bowling alley was closed March 5. Baum said he couldn’t buy his business license from the City of Hannibal due to a faulty sprinkler system, which was being repaired. ”We have an agenda to get it done within a week or two weeks,” he said. “I want the community to be behind the bowling alley.” The bowling alley since has reopened.
7. An 84-page operation and easement agreement between Target Corporation and Alabama-based developer NLA Quincy, LLC, for a “Broadway Plaza Shopping Center,” filed in Adams County in February, contained information about easements, construction, maintenance and repair and future operation of the shopping center. The agreement included exhibits of three “developer parcels” in the southwest corner of the 36th and Broadway lot.
8. Members of the community poured into the Coach House during the last half of December 2023 to get one last meal served by one of Quincy’s finest. Judie Jenkins decided it was time to hang up her apron at the age of 81. After waiting tables at the Coach House for almost 48 years, she served her last shift on Dec. 28, 2023. Jenkins died Dec. 3.
9. A wine and whiskey bar, owned by husband and wife duo Dwight and Christy Heubner, opened its doors to the public in October at 119-121 N. Fourth. Matching tufted loveseats and industrial finishes are featured on the Whiskey Guy side, while the Wine Gal side is brighter, with crystal chandeliers and a few spots to take photos.
10. Mayor Mike Troup said after a May Quincy City Council meeting he had been speaking with developer Jim Otis, president of the Otis Company in Omaha, for three months about the property, just south of Sam’s Club. Troup said Otis had an option to buy the property and was asking for an incentive on the sales tax collected. “He’s done the engineering and testing, but (the property) needs a lot of work,” Troup said after the meeting. “Without an incentive from the city, it would make it extremely challenging for him.” The Quincy City Council voted in July to create a $1 million tax incentive to support the effort.
The rest of the top 20:
- 11 DeLonjays’ purchase of Adams County Speedway ensures future of dirt-track racing in Quincy
- 12. Quincy Family YMCA announces multiple changes in leadership positions
- 13. Family-owned monument business sells to another family-owned monument business
- 14. Quincy couple plans to close Dunnbelly’s on Aug. 18; popular dishes to be on menu for final week
- 15. Potential development at 54th and Broadway to include four restaurants and a convenience store
- 16. Husband-wife team returns to Quincy, plans to open health and wellness spa in early August
- 17. Wendy’s employees in Hannibal and Barry arrived for shifts and learned they didn’t have jobs
- 18. ‘Expedited service and good paying jobs’; Amazon Distribution Facility coming to Quincy
- 19. Specialty tire store plans to build 4,500-square-foot facility on Broadway, open by November
- 20. The Range at KC brings first-of-its-kind entertainment experience to Quincy
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