An agreement between two Platte City businesses has one leaving town and another expanding into the vacated space.
In a press release issued Monday, Oct. 31, Heath Martin of Martin Midwest Real Estate Services announced the intention of Wells Bank to move its long-time headquarters on 301 Main Street to 1100 Branch Street. Wells Bank opened its second location at 1098 Branch Street in 2007 and will now expand into the current location of Apple Market grocery store.
Sharp’s Market Inc. currently operates the Apple Market and plans to have the store vacated by Thanksgiving.
“Once we learned that the new location would become available, we quickly made plans for this expansion,” Wells Bank chief executive officer Robert Barmann said. “Wells Bank is a community bank and Platte County has always been very supportive. It is that continual support which now dictates this move.”
Wells Bank said the move will allow consolidation of its two Platte City locations in one larger facility.
The plans include extensive remodeling aimed at adding modern features and providing more convenience for customers. Barmann said the move will also allow for the expansion of bank operations.
Wells Bank has grown to include six locations with Missouri branches in Kansas City, Maryville, Savannah and Oregon. However, the decision to vacate the corner location on Main Street also proved difficult.
There are no definitive plans at this point for the Main Street building.
“We gave a lot of thought to the decision to consolidate both facilities into one,” Barmann said. “The bottom line was we needed more space at both locations and this move solves both issues.”
Construction on the new location will begin after the first of the year and will take up to nine months.
The current Apple Market has operated under Doug Sharp’s direction for six years. Previously, the store has undergone a number of name and branding changes since Super Save opened at the location in 1989, and the Apple Market underwent a space reduction in 2010 to allow for the opening of a Dollar General next door.
“It was a difficult decision,” Sharp said. “We’re thankful for the employees we’ve had and the great relationships we’ve made with customers over the years. We’re going to miss them.”
Sharp’s Market Inc. will continue to operate its original Sharp’s Market location in Weston, Mo. and an Alps Foods in Atchison, Kan.