HARRISONVILLE, Mo. — A familiar name in Kansas City barbecue is set to make a big splash in Harrisonville. During Monday night’s Board of Aldermen meeting, city officials unanimously approved a Special Use Permit for JBQ Meats to redevelop the long-vacant former Walmart building on South Commercial Street.
JBQ Meats, the production arm associated with Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ, plans to transform the property into a USDA-certified processing, packaging, and warehouse facility. The $18 million project aims to breathe new life into what many residents have considered a blighted landmark.
“Harrisonville is definitely open for business and is growing,” said Bing Schimmelpfenning, Executive Director of the Harrisonville Chamber of Commerce. “They’re going to take the old Walmart — what locals remember as ‘Bizarre Bizarre’ — and make it a state-of-the-art facility. It’s going to ship food out to some of the biggest names in the business.”
The property, once part of the estate of the late Del Dunmire, has sat largely unused for over a decade. Dunmire, a colorful figure in local history and former bank robber, famously used the building as a storage site for his eclectic collection. “It was sort of a love-hate relationship for us in Harrisonville,” Schimmelpfenning recalled. “We called it ‘Del’s Garage.’ But the investments he made are why many of our downtown buildings still stand.”
This new investment, however, signals a new chapter. The project is projected to bring as many as 70 jobs to Harrisonville — a meaningful boost for the Cass County economy. “It’s not just the number of employees,” Schimmelpfenning added. “It’s the families and the ripple effect they bring to town. Any amount is a great amount.”
In a company statement, Jack Stack BBQ confirmed JBQ Meats’ intent to expand operations but emphasized that plans are still in early stages: “Our JBQ Meats team is always exploring ways to strengthen production capabilities and continue meeting the high standards our customers expect. The zoning application is one of several steps in that broader planning process that is only just beginning.”
The approved special use permit will extend for 30 years and allows for potential retail development on the north side of the site — sparking local hope that a Jack Stack BBQ restaurant could one day join the project. The property also lies within the Missouri Route 291 Transportation Development District, which collects a 1% sales tax to support infrastructure improvements in the area.
Completion of the JBQ Meats facility is expected by 2027, marking a major milestone in Harrisonville’s continued push for economic growth.
“They have a great reputation,” said Schimmelpfenning. “We’re excited to welcome them as a partner and to see that old building finally come back to life.”
