Some rumors are floating around on The Burg Facebook group. One is that someone asked if anyone else had heard the rumor of a Harbor Freight coming to Warrensburg, and another one stating that Macadoodles beer, fine wine, and spirits might be opening a store here. I'm not an expert at delving into public records, but I am skilled enough at snooping to see who owns the land and if that gives us a clue on what's coming to town.

The Harbor Freight Rumor

On The Burg Facebook page, Robert Kerr asked, "Anyone else hear there's a Harbor Freight coming to Warrensburg?" Someone asked if Mr. Kerr meant in the old Aaron's store across from Phillips 66, across from the Walmart driveway. That sparked a discussion on whether the Aaron's site was big enough for Harbor Freight or if the building American Freight was in was more in line with the space Harbor Freight would need.

According to the search site provided by the Johnson County Assessor, the building that American Freight was in at 133 Parsons Street has been owned by One Land Company, which has a mailing address in Jonesboro, Arkansas. More importantly, they acquired the property in 2019, so that doesn't shed any light on what might happen next.

Harbor Freight seems to like to talk about where they're putting new stores. You can search for stores coming soon. In Missouri, the only store opening soon listed on their store locator is in O'Fallon. They also do press releases about new stores, and I didn't find anything about Warrensburg.

None of this means Harbor Freight won't open a store in Warrensburg. It certainly seems plausible with a presence in Sedalia, Marshall, Columbia, and Osage Beach. Yet nothing I found indicates it's coming to either the old American Freight or Aaron's stores. I have reached out to Harbor Freight for comment.

The Old Aaron's Store

This is a little more interesting, as work has been happening at the old Aaron's. It looks like something is being done with the big windows in front, and recently, I noticed they put a drive-through on the side of the building.

According to the search site provided by the Johnson County Assessor, RBM Investments, LLC, which has a Branson mailing address, acquired that property on October 1, 2024. If Google maps didn't lead me down a wrong path, that Branson mailing address is the street address of a Dairy Queen Grill and Chill. Now, I couldn't find out what else RBM Investments, LLC owns. However, it makes me think RBM Investments might be putting some franchise there.

Could it be a Macadoodles? Well, it does look like the front picture windows are being removed, and the windows will be above eye level, which could be for liquor store shelves or pharmacy shelves.

Second, there is a Macadoodles in Branson and Lee's Summit, where RBM Investments, LLC has a presence. Additionally, Macadoodles is a franchise, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that RBM Investments, LLC is doing that at the old Aaron's store. Don't get too excited though, Macadoodles store finder, also lets you look for stores coming soon, and Warrensburg is nowhere to be seen. I have reached out to Macadoodles for comment.

What Do I Think?

Harbor Freight and Macadoodles coming to Warrensburg are both rumors, and nothing I found in my property ownership searches confirmed that either will open stores here. I find the Macadoodles rumor a little more plausible. The old Aaron's store seems to be the right size, and it looks like what's going on in the property could fit the profile of a liquor store.

I know that getting stores into the old Aaron's and American Freight Building and opening the theaters will help that area thrive.