Brown Derby (company)

The Brown Derby is a chain of liquor stores located in and around Springfield, Missouri. The first Brown Derby was opened in Springfield in 1937 by John A. Morris. The Brown Derby is famous for being the first retail location for fishing lures and other fishing accessories sold by John L. Morris, the son of the Brown Derby's founder, and the future propriertor of the Springfield, MO based Bass Pro Shop. John L. Morris began selling fishing and other outdoor products from an 8 foot by 8 foot section of his father's store and eventually incorporated Bass Pro Shop in 1972.

History

The first Brown Derby was opened in 1937 by John A. Morris, the father of John L. Morris, the creator and owner of the oudoor retail store chain, Bass Pro Shop. The Brown Derby has grown to boast 18 locations in and around Springfield, MO including the internationally acclaimed Brown Derby International Wine Center located at 2023 S. Glenstone in Springfield, MO.

International Wine Center

The Brown Derby International Wine Center was opened in 1969, but started to gain international renown after Ron Junge, the son-in-law of founder John A. Morris joined the business in 1971. Now, over three decades later, Ron Junge along with his son-in-law Brad Feuerbacher and knowledgeable cellarmaster Scott Gargus have established the Brown Derby International Wine Center as one of America's top 10 wine retailers. The Brown Derby International Wine Center boasts a 5,000 square foot temperature and humidity controlled wine cellar, which houses over 70,000 bottles of wine that date back to the late 1800s. In addition to wine the Brown Derby International Wine Center hosts a tempting and extensive range of beers, various crafts including scented candles and hand soaps, plus a deli section, which includes a comprehensive selection of international cheeses.

Awards & Recognition

*One of "America's Top Wine Shops" in Food & Wine Magazine's Official Wine Guide 2000.
*Member of the Wine & Spirits Guild of America since 1958
*"One of America's 10 Best Retailers" Liquor Store Magazine
*"One of America's 12 Best Retailers" Market Watch Magazine
*"One of the Top 10 Retailers" Wine & Spirits Magazine

Recent Popularity

In recent years the Brown Derby has gained a place in pop culture among college aged students and young adults who live in or frequently visit Springfield, MO. The popular Brown Derby logo consisting of a brown outlined profile view of a man wearing a derby style hat overlayed on a solid golden rod background has endeared itself to the young adult population of and frequent business travelers to Springfield, MO. The Brown Derby's newest fans and customers have gone as far as to create hip hop dances and semi-annual events based on the Brown Derby.

The Derby Derby, cleverly named after the Kentucky Derby, is a semi-annual event consisting of dozens of Springfield locals and frequent visitors who attempt to travel to all 18 Brown Derby locations and drink one 40 oz. beer at each. Given the copious amount of alcohol that must be drank to successfully complete the Derby Derby, only 4 people have successfully completed the entire Derby Derby. Those four people included 3 men and 1 women who were not actually Springfield residents, but frequently traveled from Madison, WI to Springfield, MO on business.

The Derby Stomp is a hip-hop dance created by the participants of the Derby Derby and often demonstrated during the event and during pre and post parties at local Springfield clubs. The Derby Stomp was first created by one of the original founders of the Derby Derby and is intended to be done to the beat of the song Laffy Taffy by D4L. The song Laffy Taffy contains the lyrics, "Shake that Laffy Taffy," which Derby Stompers change to, "It's the Derby Derby" and sing with the same cadence in order to personalize the Derby Stomp. As the "Derby Derby" portion of the song is sung participants hop twice on one foot to the beat and then stomp down on the opposite foot. Participants have been known to add their own flavor to the stomp by popping their collars, snapping, spinning, and turning

References

* Dummit, Chris. (May 14, 1995) Palm Beach Post "Why the fuss to hook Bass Pro? Sport paradise would lure tourists." Page 1A.
* Walker, Larry (August 1995) Wines & Vines [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3488/is_n8_v76/ai_17406037/pg_2 The retail scene - wine.] Volume 76; Issue 8; page 18.
* Waters, Steve. (November 16, 1998) South Florida Sun-Sentinel "Bass is business, for fun and profit." Section: Sports; Page 1D.
* Sasser, Ray. (March 21, 1999) The Dallas Morning News "Geared for success: Johnny Morris, whose sixth Outdoor World superstore opens this week in Grapevine, has turned his passion into a sporting goods empire." Section: Sports day; Page 26B.
* The Fort Worth Star-Telegram (February 20, 2005) "Beyond Branson: So near the show-biz glitz and yet so far, Big Cedar Lodge is the place to kick back and enjoy nature. Just ask Bass Pro Shops founder John Morris." Page: H1.
* Tackett, Paul. (June 21, 2006) Tulsa World "Fishy business." Section: Community; Page 1.

External links

* [http://www.wineontheweb.com/features/brownderby/brownderby.html Wine on the Web - Brown Derby]

* [http://www.brownderby.com Brown Derby International Wine Center]