Ozark Mill + Finley Farm
Bass Pro
Ozark, MO

When you think of Bass Pro, one may conjure the giant retailer that brings us closer to all things outdoorsmen. What you may not know about this company is the grand and innovative ways in which Johnny Morris, the founder,  builds and creates places and experiences for people to enjoy. One of their most successful ventures is Big Cedar Lodge, just south of Branson, MO.  So, when Megan Morris called us to help out with a new project they are working on, we were very excited for the opportunity. 

Johnny Morris grew up close to Ozark, MO — just south of Springfield, north of Branson. When the opportunity came about to purchase a historic mill along the Finley River, he jumped at the chance. He wanted to create something very special there— to honor the history of the place and to give the region something special to engage with. The project is underway, and the feats in which are being done to make this all a reality are truly breathtaking (catch the video here of the moving of the mill).

When the project is fully realized, the original grist mill will be restored (and working), including a general store, a restaurant, a museum, and a speak easy. But that's not all. Johnny bought some of the contiguous acreage around the mill and that is being brought to life, by way of Megan's vision, of an integrated farm, makers space and cottages tucked in the woods. 

We are very excited to work alongside the two of these passionate entrepreneurs to assist in distilling their story, working on concepts and programming for the farm and maker spaces, and feasibility for some of these components.