LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — It's often known as the "quiet side of the Lake," and it's a popular second-home spot among Kansas Citians and Iowans: still, some say the Westside is the best-kept secret at the Lake of the Ozarks.
The Westside includes the cities of Greenview, Hurricane Deck, Sunrise Beach, Laurie and Gravois Mills, and the region is such a distinct part of the Lake's geography and culture, it is often written as a (compound) proper noun: at some point along the way, the west side became "the Westside." The area boasts an expansive shoreline, abundant woodlands and friendly people and officials are doing everything they can to make it business-friendly.
“The Westside has long been overlooked by developers,” Westside Developer/Restaurateur Tim Vogel said. But not anymore, and not by Vogel, who has invested millions of dollars in his Westside businesses. Vogel owns and operates the popular Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar and Grill at the 10-mile marker off the Gravois Arm of Lake and the successful Tap and Grill Lakeside Brew Haus, on Route O, at the 7-mile marker in Laurie.
According to Vogel, over the past 12 years he has invested approximately $700,000 annually back into his businesses, some years more. "It has a trickle-down effect. That money goes to only local contractors, electricians, roofers, and in turn, is invested right back into the westside."
The Coconuts Caribbean Bar & Grill property has under gone major improvements over the past few years. This year, they are adding pavement, landscaping and a Geisha Sushi Bar, just in time for Spring 2019.
Lake Of The Ozarks Westside Growth
Three RV Parks
RV Parks are an early development trend this year. Three huge RV parks are currently under construction or expansion: one in Sunrise Beach, one in Laurie and one in Gravois Mills.
Sunrise Beach RV Park Expansion
If Camden County approves the re-zoning of a 52-acre parcel in Sunrise Beach in February, George Tucker of Lakewide LLC., is seeking to expand Deer Valley Campground and add another 160 RV sites, to the current 300 sites, as well as many new amenities and improvements. The campground is located on Deer Valley Road, at the 10-mile marker.
LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — Deer Valley Campground's RV park sits next to the popular Lakefron…
Millstone Marina RV Resort
Millstone Marine Owners Jeff and Kim Howell have also invested heavily in the Westside. They are currently in construction on a new Millstone Marina Lakeside RV Resort on Route O, at the 7 Mile Marker, in Laurie. The RV Resort will offer 75 luxury RV sites with top-notch amenities and will be ready by Spring 2019. They are currently taking reservations.
The Howells have also completely renovated the entire Millstone property. The expansive investment includes the addition of paved roads, a Sea Store, gas docks, parking docks, an additional 70 rental dock slips, (added to the existing 160 slips) 18 large cruiser dock slips, rental boats, a wave break, storage units and more.
They have also purchased property on Highway 5, next to the Lake Christian Academy in Sunrise Beach, where they will offer a rental house and new storage units.
Gravois Mills RV Park
Vogel has pulled the trigger on the construction of a new 300 site, gated, 5-star RV park above his Coconuts Caribbean Bar & Grill, located at the 7-mile marker, in Gravois Mills.
Tap and Grill Lakeside Brew Haus
Vogel’s Tap and Grill Lakeside Brew Haus is located across the cove from Millstone, and Vogel is adding to that property too, in time for the 2019 boating season. The renovations include the installation of rip rap, a new wave break and wave runner docking, as well as an expanded paved parking lot and drive.
“With everything going on in the Millstone cove, it is going to be the place to be,” Vogel said.
Lake Race 2019?
A huge boon to Westside lakefront businesses particularly on or near the Gravois Arm, the Lake Race powerboat races could be moved to the 7 Mile Marker in 2019. The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced the Lake Race Steering Committee had put in a regatta application for the event to be held at the 7 Mile Marker on Saturday, June 1, 2019, if approved by the Patrol. Members of the public who want to provide input on the modified location of the event may contact the Water Patrol Division. Correspondence may be directed to the division's email address regattas (at) mshp.dps.mo.gov or by calling the division's main phone number at 573-751-5071.
Sunrise Hardware
Chris Pieschl, owner of Sunrise True Hardware, is doubling the size of his store on Route F in Sunrise Beach. The expansion will add onto his current building in order to expand the plumbing, electrical, paint and tool departments.
The Littlest Chocolatier
The Littlest Chocolatier moved into Sunrise Beach three months ago. The newest addition to the Westside, located on Highway 5, serves gourmet Belgium chocolates that are visually stunning and decadently delicious. They also have gourmet coffee, an espresso bar and freshly made pastries.
Heartland Marine in Laurie
Heartland Marine is currently constructing a new 25,000-sq.-ft. facility on Highway 5 in Laurie. Owner Jason Todd said he is moving his boat sales operation from Route TT to the Laurie facility, after hitting roadblocks in his plans to move onto Highway 5 in Sunrise Beach. Heartland will offer new and used boat sales and service, as an official Crestliner dealer, with plans to add a fiberglass and upholstery shop later. Heartland Marine Laurie will open March 2019.
SUNRISE BEACH, Mo. — A long-term city plan stands in the way of a near-term plan by a local …
Laurie Marine
Laurie Marine and Sporting Goods has added a new boat line. They are now the exclusive Missouri dealer of Apex/Qwest Pontoon boats.
Laurie Terrace Mall
The redevelopment of the 50,000-sq.-ft., two-story Laurie Mall is also underway after coming under the new ownership. Currently, there are five businesses in the mall and the new owners are gearing up to rent the newly revamped spaces and bring even more business to Laurie.
LAURIE, Mo. — The Laurie Terrace Mall—a 50,000-sq-ft, two-story mall in the heart of the Lak…
Laurie Movie Theater
Good news for Westside cinephiles: the former B&B Lake West Movie Theater on Route O in Laurie has been sold and will reopen this spring. The new owners, VIP Cinemas Inc., owned by the McSparin family, are all about catering to families and senior citizens and will offer daily matinees and free popcorn at deep discounts. The theater property also includes Mac’s Italian restaurant, a laundromat and two other spaces that are available to rent: a former coffee shop and portrait studio. The renovated theater is expected to open early April 2019, under a new name. The new owners currently have five movie theaters located in Illinois, Kentucky and Florida.
Good news for Lake of the Ozarks moviegoers on the Westside: the Lake West Movie Theater on …
El Centenaro Authentic Mexican Restaurant
The El Centenaro Restaurant opened in November 2018 on Highway 5 in Greenview. Owners Jose and Christa Melgozo hail originally from Mexico, by way of the state of California. The serve huge-portioned authentic Mexican dishes at a reasonable price. They are open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
Apartments and Rental Homes
Another exciting development for both employees and employers, Vogel is constructing Phase 1 of a 60-unit workforce type apartment complex, on Route O in Laurie. He is also remodeling six rental houses near his Coconuts Caribbean Bar and Grill property in Gravois Mills. The six houses and 16 to 20 of the new apartments are expected to be ready to rent Spring 2019.
LAURIE, Mo. — A new apartment complex under construction on the Lake of the Ozarks Westside …
“I am happy to see people are developing and investing in this side of the lake and housing is one of our huge needs,” Lake of the Ozarks West Chamber of Commerce Director Paul Hooper said. “Build it and they will come. I am looking forward to a bright future on the Westside.”
