Branson Business Pioneers to Share Their Stories

Two of Branson’s family business pioneers will share eyewitness accounts of being retail entrepreneurs of Downtown Branson during a free presentation at the Branson Centennial Museum on Tuesday, April 16 from 12:30 – 1:30 PM. The families who created Reish Shoes & Boots, and Dick’s 5 & 10 will discuss the firsthand accounts, cherished memories, biggest challenges and the changes they witnessed as Branson grew and evolved.

Joe and Barbara Reish carried on the tradition of the Reish family who operated a shoe business for 85 consecutive years in Branson. Touted as “the longest family-owned business in Branson,” the Reish’s began with Joe’s father running a cobbler store which became Reish Shoes & Boots until 2015.   June and Dick Hartley began Dick’s 5 & 10 in 1961. Their son Steve took over store operations when his father passed in 2006. The Hartley’s still own and operate one of very few “true” five and dimes left in the country. They offer over 200,000 items for sale and display a number of historic treasures as well.

“We are honored to host these business pioneers with so much Branson history to share for our next Tuesday Talk,” said Jim Babcock, Branson Centennial Museum co-curator with his wife Jean.  “The museum is actually located where Reish Shoes & Boots once operated, thanks to the generosity of the Reish family, so the setting and the discussion will be perfectly in sync for this interesting presentation.”

The Tuesday Talk series is presented free-of-charge by the Branson Centennial Museum and White River Valley Historical Society. Throughout 2019, various topics of local and historical interest will be presented by knowledgeable speakers every month on the third Tuesday from 12:30 until 1:30 PM. The Museum is located in historic Downtown Branson at 120 South Commercial Street.