Ampersand Sculpture

Convenience stores typically offer in-and-out experiences for people on the go, but one such store in Joplin invites customers to linger. Kum & Go, one of the nation’s largest convenience store chains, has brought its marketplace concept to our area, and with it, a colorful 8-foot-tall and 7-foot-wide ampersand sculpture.
The shape of the sculpture reflects Kum & Go’s slogan “Where & Means More,” and the company’s core values and culture are showcased on one side. The other side contains words and images highlighting important people, places, and events in Joplin’s history, such as its mining industry, Route 66, and the outlaws Bonnie and Clyde. It also features symbols of Joplin’s reputation as a community of “strength and hope,” which was demonstrated after the May 2011 tornado when its citizens rose from the rubble and began building a new city.
The sculpture was designed and created by the art studio Sticks and is located on the north side of the convenience store.