Richard Lawson, owner of Lumpy’s B-B-Q, bought Jone’s Market in 1996.

Lawson initially bought the market with the intent of running a grocery store, but when he started smoking meats and selling them, he found his business was taking a different turn.

Originally from Columbus, Kans., Lawson worked at the B.F. Goodrich plant in Miami, Okla., until it closed in the 1980s.

Lawson has owned a convenience store and a bar and ran the convenience store until he sold it in 1998.

In 1996, he bought Jone’s Market and ran it as a grocery store for two years.

While smoking meats for sale, he found his customers would buy them to eat immediately. Sixty days later, after opening the market, Lawson decided to add three tables and 12 chairs for customers to sit down and eat.

January 1999, Lumpy’s became a full-time restaurant, and Lawson abandoned the grocery market.

Although Lumpy’s was a full-time restaurant, it did not have its grand opening until April 16, 1999.

Lumpy’s seats approximately 100 patrons.

The restaurant has done catering events for numerous companies, groups and families in the region.

Lawson said the summertime is the busiest time for catering.

He said the largest group he has catered for was approximately 750 to 1,000 people.

Lumpy’s has served several celeb-rities, including former Missouri Southern alumnus, Rod Smith.

Lawson has plans in the future to add a 20-foot by 26-foot room on the east side of his restaurant.

He said he wants to build the room for private parties and to add extra space for customers.

Lawson hopes in the future he will be able to expand his parking lot.

He said his restaurant does not have enough parking.

He believes people oftentimes do not stop because they think there isn’t enough room inside.

Lumpy’s offers a lunch special 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and happy hour specials from 4-7 p.m.

Lawson believes the brisket sandwich is the best meal at lunchtime but said baby-back ribs are the restaurant’s “signature” item.

“Our best meal is probably the salad, baby-back ribs and twice-baked potatoes,” Lawson said.

“We make everything from scratch. A lot of people don’t realize most restaurants in Joplin serve precooked meats.”

Galen Bowman, resident of Joplin, and his wife, Jean, said they eat at Lumpy’s at least twice a week.

“I haven’t eaten anything that is not good,” Bowman said. “I also like it because it is not fancy.”