Council Approves Signage Request

Linda “Granny” Gill just wants a tasteful, professional sign that points people to her at-home bakery.

The businesswoman, who operates “Granny Gill’s Bakery” in Goodman, hopes to increase her sales by making sure customers can find her cookies, pies and other delectables.

Gill recently received approval for two signs within the city limits of Goodman. She first approached the Goodman City Council about a sign, saying that folks who were coming from out-of-town didn’t always have an easy time trying to find her. Her home, in which she operates the business, is located on

School Street.

Folks unfamiliar with the town sometimes had trouble.

The Goodman City Council approved her request for a sign in early August during a regular council meeting. Two weeks later, Gill again approached the council, saying she had spoken with landowners of the McDonald County Telephone Company in Pineville, who own some land in Goodman near the corner of C Highway and Highway 59.

The landowners gave her permission to erect a sign there as well, she said.

Mayor Greg Richmond said if the sign would be located on private land and if the landowner had given her permission, the council was in favor of such. Council members agreed.

Gill said she just wanted to make sure she had approval for two signs from the city council and that she could move forward with her plans.

The first sign approved is located on a light pole at the corner of C and 59, by the Goodman sign. Gill utilized a former Southwest City Elementary student’s design and then painted it herself.

The second one, which is a temporary one, is located on McDonald County Telephone Company property.

A permanent sign is being designed and painted in Anderson by artist Mark Mitchell, she said.

Mitchell used to deliver Gill’s copy of The Joplin Globe with his dog, Gideon.

“They both got a cinnamon roll from Granny Gill’s when I was up that early,” she said.

Gill operates under the Cottage Law, has a city of Goodman business permit, and has a state of Missouri business permit, which are all displayed in her “showroom,” just off her kitchen.

Gill has a lot of business from employees of a Grove, Okla., hospital, as well as several teachers who live in Oklahoma and travel through to Anderson.

Since launching her business late last year, she has grown her business base to include customers from a wide area and has an expanding circle of regulars who enjoy her home-baked bread, cookies, cream pies and more, she said.

Gill brought homemade cinnamon rolls to the first city council meeting as samples for anyone interested and brought two types of homemade cookies to the second meeting.

“You can have a sample, but I also expect you to buy some,” she quipped.