Located on Highway 65 between Springfield and Branson, Ozark, MO has always been a haven for boutique retail, hometown dining, antique shopping, and outdoor recreation. Finley Farms is restoring and reimagining the historic Ozark Mill property to create a sprawling gathering place featuring farm-forward restaurants, vibrant event venues, a riverside wedding chapel, an urban farm and more. A family passion project—multiple generations of the Morris family are pouring their hearts into this special place.
It all started with noted conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops, Johnny Morris. His deep connections to Ozark, the Finley River and the milling industry inspired a vision for preserving The Ozark Mill and creating a space for the community to gather. Today, his daughter Megan Stack is leading the development vision, establishing the look, feel and purpose of the property. Finley Farms is a destination where genuine Ozarks hospitality and memorable experiences intertwine through history, preservation and nature. Here’s a preview of what to expect from Finley Farms.
The Workshop
Photo courtesy of Finley Farms
The Workshop, Finley Farms’ coffee shop and makerspace, celebrated its grand opening in November 2019. Originally a brick garage from the 1930s, the converted industrial space serves a full menu of options including coffees, teas, toasts, salads, pastries and cocktails Monday through Saturday. Step outside and explore the outdoor patio with a stunning view of the farm. After hours, The Workshop offers private events in addition to interactive and hands-on culinary, cocktail, craft, farming and kids classes.
The Ozark Farmers Market
Photo courtesy of Finley Farms
Right next to The Workshop sits The Market Shed, a rustic, seasonal venue that plays host to the seasonal Ozark Farmers Market. Large sliding doors open to create a breezy atmosphere and a blank canvas that can welcome a variety of events and gatherings. Together, with The Workshop, this minimalistic space creates a charming indoor-outdoor atmosphere to accommodate any special occasion. Thursday evenings you’ll find area farmers, artisans, food trucks, live music and more selling their goods.
The Farm
Photo courtesy of Finley Farms
Modeled after family farms that once dotted the Ozarks landscape, this high-yield urban farm supports on-property restaurants with seasonal produce and materials for hands-on workshops. Also part of Phase 1, The Farm features a buzzing apiary, bloom-filled flower fields and a wooded mushroom yard that make an ideal location for small events and elopements. Resident Farmers Liesel McCleary and Brendan Sinclair also offer regular farm tours and beehive checks, allowing visitors to learn more about The Farm’s organic standards and practices.
The Ozark Mill
Photo courtesy of Finley Farms
Originally built in 1833, The Ozark Mill serves as the heart of Finley Farms and the centerpiece for Phase 2 of the property master plan. A cornerstone of Ozark’s rich history, the grist mill overlooks the Finley River and The Mill Pond Dam. Preserved with care, this passion project honors the Ozark community’s rugged determination. The Mill underwent three fires and rebuilds and retired as the last commercially operating watermill in Missouri in 1992. After Johnny Morris purchased the structure in 1993, his daughter, Megan Stack, developed the vision and began executing a reimagined gathering space in 2016. The entire Mill was rolled back from the Finley River so its foundation could be restored in 2018, prior to The Workshop opening during Phase 1. With help from mill experts, the 18,573-square-foot building was repositioned in its original location on the edge of the water, now 4 feet higher, and flood gates were installed. In its new life, The Mill is a multipurpose event space with a farm-to-table restaurant, a speakeasy, a general store and a self-guided history tour that provides guests with a behind-the-scenes look at how The Mill operated.
The Ozark Mill Restaurant
Photo courtesy of Finley Farms
A family-friendly dining experience rooted in the history of the Ozarks, The Ozark Mill Restaurant’s dining space, bar and patio overlook the picturesque Finley River. Chef Kevin Korman’s farm-to-table inspired menu focuses on seasonal dishes, pastas and pizzas featuring local, sustainable food sources including 28 types of organically-grown produce grown on site.
The Garrison
Located on the lower level of The Ozark Mill, The Garrison features heirlooms from Riverside Inn and Howard Garrison’s original artwork. A cozy patio space lined with fire pits offers additional seating and unmatched views of the Finley River, mill pond dam and the historic Riverside Bridge. Large parties can reserve The Pantry, a private dining room located right next to The Garrison’s kitchen. The unique, European-inspired dining experience allows guests to be part of the back-of-house hustle and bustle while providing a more intimate experience.
The Chapel
Photo courtesy of Finley Farms
The Chapel is an open-air venue set along the banks of the Finley River just across from The Ozark Mill. The structure was modeled after many historic chapels you might stumble upon in the older pockets of our region and crafted from reclaimed materials. After tying the knot, couples can walk across the historic Riverside Bridge to their wedding reception or cocktail hour inside The Mill.
The Riverside Bridge
Photo courtesy of Finley Farms
The one-lane, 274-foot bridge was built in 1909 for $3,648 by the Canton Bridge Co. after a record-setting flood washed away the wooden bridge next to The Ozark Mill. In 1924 The Riverside Bridge was moved 1.5 miles upstream to Biers Ford. Due to repeated flood damage, the Riverside Bridge was closed in 2010. After hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs, the bridge reopened in 2013, only to experience a 100-year flood in 2015 that severely damaged the structure. In 2018, it was announced that the Riverside Bridge would be relocated and renovated as part of the Finley Farms development. After disassembling the Riverside Bridge in 2019, it took 6 months to restore the structure. The new home for the more than a century old bridge is in the same location where the “Chadwick Flyer” railroad once crossed the Finley River. The bridge will complement other dining and entertainment spaces at The Mill, and the public will have access to the bridge when it is not in use for special events and activities. Wedding parties can cross over the historic Riverside Bridge on foot for a cocktail hour or reception at The Ozark Mill.
Future Projects
Phase 3 plans for Finley Farms & The Ozark Mill will include even more unforgettable experiences. Soon, guests will be able to extend their visit with overnight accommodations. During their stay, patrons will be able to explore the Finley River via a river outfitters before unwinding at the property’s brewery next to The Ozark Mill.
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