Farmers say Capital Mall purchase ‘positive for Jefferson City’

New owners are committed to making improvements

Friday, December 21, 2012

Mike Farmer and his brother, Bud Farmer, want Mid-Missourians to be patient about the Capital Mall Shopping Center’s future.

“We know we want to go in a direction to make things better for, obviously, the business, and for the consumer,” Mike Farmer told reporters Thursday afternoon. “But it’s kind of like a big ship — they’re not easy to turn.

“So, it will take some time, (but) this will be positive for Jefferson City.”

Farmer’s son, Kirk Farmer, who will help supervise the mall operations, said: “We are committed to working, every day, to try to make it better.”

In recent years, the Capital Mall has been the target of much criticism, that shoppers no longer prefer to go there and that it has too many empty storefronts. The new owners plan to keep the mall as a shopping center, although its physical structure could be changed.

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mia 6 months ago

I think this is wonderful. The Farmers are great people that appreciate a town that more or less made them what they are. That Mall needs a total makeover. I think it looks kind of dirty and really old. Hopefully with their money, they can do that. They are monied enough and have others residences where they could just turn a blind eye and say "who cares". Good for them for buying it.

mia 6 months ago

It would be nice to have it an strip mall type environment like Osage Beach outlet and others in KC and St. L. Its really nice to be able to just drive up to the door and shop. Hope this works out.

Gotigers 6 months ago

This is outstanding news for Jefferson City. I applaud Mike and Bud for their committment to JC. It would have been easy for them to continue on with their core business and pass this by. This can only help Jefferson City.

MO4LIFE 6 months ago

If a major mall operator couldn't get businesses in there. What makes you all think that a local businessman can get businesses to open there. Come On and use coon sense people this was aa bad investment because Capital Mall will never be what it used to be again Just have to accept it and move on. Hey Mr Farmer talk to the school board and offer it up as a second high school.!!!!!!

january 6 months ago

My coon sense is tingling

MO4LIFE 6 months ago

If u r not a coon why do you have coon sense and that is a racist word towards black people so I hope that is not what you are implying.

JCLifer 6 months ago

Get some Cracker sense and then you will have something to crunch about.

january 6 months ago

Nope, you suggested that we use coon sense. Reread what you wrote. Then think spider-man and maybe you will get my joke.

softball13 6 months ago

I think more stores for the kids should be brought back. There isn't much in Jefferson City or any where close that the teens can go and there is mall security so that shouldn't be an issue. Aeropostale, Hot Topic, just more stores that kiddos can go too would be nice. And for the record my kiddo is a Junior and an Honor Student who has never been in trouble a day in her life so not looking for a trouble spot.. just a place she enjoys going with her friends who also have never been in trouble. :)

Gotigers 6 months ago

MO4LIFE- My response would be that General Growth could have cared less about the property, all they wanted was the profit and put nothing back into it--kind of like a slumlord. With this property only a few miles from Mr. Farmers house, I believe he will put in the extra effort to make it a nice facility.

When is the last time that the mall tried to attract any customer traffic? Have a boat show or home builders showcase, anything to attract a crowd. They did nothing.

Anything is better than what we currently have.

MO4LIFE 6 months ago

Twice a yr they have the big auto tent sales out there.

JCLifer 6 months ago

How about a big INDOOR car show during the winter? Where folks can go sit inside the cars and talk to the salespeople?

I agree with Gotigers- they need to have more community shows and events there. That big empty mall is a dissappointment.

I'd also like to see the movie theater remodeled and updated. They could show artsy films and realy good films that never come to Jefferson City. How about serving gourmet coffee, wine, and appetizers to eat with the movie? Make it nice for adults so they don't have to fight the kids at the dirty kiddie theater across the street.

rj27 6 months ago

If you've got a good kid good for you.The main reason that I avoided the mall for many years was the packs of wild kids who were dropped off for the shop owners to babysit.The mall waited far too long to ban unaccompanied children.Unfortunately they just moved to the Stadium Walmart.I'll drive across town and paythe higher tax rate before putting up with it.I also agree with the poster that said they took the money and didn't put anything back.I personally knew several small buisnesses that gave it a try but had to move because of rising rents.Really hope this works out for Farmer and JC.

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