Biz 417 | What's Going On Downtown? | May-June 2023

EDITORIAL

Lucie Amberg EDITOR LUCIE@417MAG.COM

Katie Pollock Estes EDITORIAL DIRECTOR EDITOR@417MAG.COM

Jamie Thomas DIGITAL EDITOR JTHOMAS@417MAG.COM

Jo Jolliff RESEARCH EDITOR JO@417MAG.COM

Michelle Lewis, Adesyn Shelton, Courtney Skornia EDITORIAL INTERNS

Sarah Patton CREATIVE DIRECTOR SARAH@417MAG.COM

Jordan Dykstra ART DIRECTOR JORDAN@417MAG.COM

Brandon Alms

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER & DESIGNER BRANDON@417MAG.COM

Leah Stiefermann PHOTOGRAPHER & DESIGNER LSTIEFERMANN@417MAG.COM

Grace Chipley EDITORIAL DESIGNER GRACE@417MAG.COM

Acacia Boerboom EDITORIAL DESIGN INTERN

CONTRIBUTORS

Ettie Berneking; Mary Ellen Chiles; Tessa Cooper; Colin Shea Denniston; Sonia Guzman; Max Havey; Kristin Knapton; Emily Letterman; Lauren Lindsay, Richman Marketing; Susan Atteberry Smith; Micheal Stevens; Jennifer Swenson

FOUNDERS

Gary Whitaker FOUNDER GARY@417MAG.COM

Joan Whitaker FOUNDER JOAN@417MAG.COM

BUSINESS

Logan Aguirre PUBLISHER LOGAN@417MAG.COM

Megan Johnson VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS AND CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS MJOHNSON@417MAG.COM

Ammie Scott Motes VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGY AND SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE ASCOTTMOTES@417MAG.COM

J.J. Massey FINANCE MANAGER ACCOUNTING@417MAG.COM

Bernadette Pry OFFICE MANAGER BERNADETTE@417MAG.COM

Mariya Serykh MARKETING COORDINATOR MARIYA@417MAG.COM

Jami Wightman SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE JAMI@417MAG.COM

Janelle Haik ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE JANELLE@417MAG.COM

Kathy Grieve ACCOUNT SERVICES MANAGER KATHY@417MAG.COM

Nicki Hodges ACCOUNT COORDINATOR NICKI@417MAG.COM

Katie Batliner ADVERTISING DESIGN COORDINATOR KBATLINER@417MAG.COM

Rin Colwell ADVERTISING DESIGNER RIN@417MAG.COM

Elizabeth VanFosson DIGITAL COORDINATOR EVANFOSSON@417MAG.COM

CONTRIBUTORS

Elisabeth Anderson, Molly Davis, Jennifer Swenson

46

WHAT’S GOING ON DOWNTOWN?

It’s the question on many people’s minds these days. We asked 417-landers with big stakes in downtown about its past, present and future.

BY TESSA COOPER, ETTIE BERNEKING, LUCIE AMBERG AND JO JOLLIFF

Joy Bilyeu-Steele and Geoff Steele in front of the Gillioz Center for Arts and Entertainment.

What’s

Aaron Matkowski on outfitting 417-land adventures. 21

in “barrel time.” 22

Fresh ideas for a family farm. 22

Volt Credit Union and SPS are teaming up for financial literacy. 23

Insight from David Bauer.

The

All

Sally Hargis and Michael Stevens met up at Maso Pizza Bar.

ADVISORY BOARD

David Atkisson Springfield Office Leader J.E. Dunn Construction

Thomas Douglas CEO

JMARK Business Solutions, Inc.

Anna Evans

Vice President of Business Retention and Expansion Show Me Christian County

Heather Hardinger

Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer CoxHealth

Sally Hargis

Vice President/Chairman

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co.

Ryan Mooney

Vice President of Economic Development Arvest Bank

Daniel Ogunyemi

Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Ozarks Technical Community College

Benjamin Sapp

Partner | Business Develoment Sapp Design Architects

Debra Shantz Hart Owner Housing Plus LLC

DHTC Development

Sustainable Housing Solutions

Jack Stack

President/CEO

SRC Holdings Corp.

Between happy feedback about our March/ April issue and inspiring vibes generated at Think Summit on April 5, we’ve been walking around with extra spring in our step.

—Lucie Amberg

“What an amazing honor to have our owner Audrey [Garard] featured in Women Who Mean Business!”

—Grooms Office Environments

“I attended Think Summit yesterday and had the best time—what an amazing event! Kudos for the amazing job well done.”

—Fatima Grover, Isabel’s House

“I will never be able to pick a favorite event but [Think Summit] is one of the ones I’m most proud to work on. I get emotional thinking about 500+ people in a space I helped create who are... hungry for ways to invest in... our community. I’m grateful for sponsors who made it possible, speakers who gave their time, vendors who helped bring the vision to life and the Biz 417 team for... letting me dream big alongside them.”

—Event planner Alia Wilson-Lee [Editor’s note: We’re grateful for you, too, Alia—big time!]

“I’m an underdog guy. I like underdogs winning.”

—David Bauer, Owner of Coyote’s Adobe Café, p. 23

4

“We’ve got a big, big canvas to paint on.”

—Kirk Elmquist, Executive Director of the Branson/Lakes Area Tourism Community Enhancement District, p. 19

“I am just here to move this business forward to the next generation. And to inspire that next generation to continue to do the same thing. I am not an owner, just a caretaker.”

—Sally Hargis, Vice President/Chairman of the Board of Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co., p. 38 5

“We want visitors to experience the farm and the rural feel of Christian County. We want them to feel like they are visiting Grandma’s house.”

—Kyle Estes, Co-owner, Cassidy Station at Estes Farm, p. 22

“There’s not a cohesive viewpoint of what downtown is. It has great nightlife; it has great dining; it is a great destination for tourists for arts and cultural events. When you’re everything, you can also be nothing.”

—Chris Jarratt, Chief Creative Officer/Partner at Revel Advertising, p. 51

Downtown Feelings

As the fastest growing region in southwest Missouri, we absolutely need downtown Springfield to be a thriving, safe and desirable place to live, to work and to enjoy. Its perceived success has ebbed and flowed throughout the years, and it’s currently stuck in a moment where the narrative skews negative. So what can be done about it, and who is in charge of that? That’s the question we set out to answer in this month’s cover story. The feelings about downtown are so complex. Our family is downtown almost every day since our daughter is involved at Springfield Ballet and Springfield Little Theatre, and we love going to all of the shows. When my parents downsized, they moved downtown because it fits their lifestyle. And when my friends visit from out of town, I want to take them to sunset cocktails at Vantage Rooftop Lounge and Conservatory, brunch at Rise or Springfield BrewCo or dinner at one of my favorite spots, Greek Belly.

At the same time, a close friend who is passionate about downtown recently told me he’s moving his business out of the neighborhood because his

employees don’t feel safe and he doesn’t want to bring out-of-town clients there. And another employer who was interested in moving his company downtown told me he couldn’t find enough safe and secure parking for his entire team.

With all of those things being true, where do we go from here? We are cheering for downtown and want it to be filled with businesses, young professionals, students, families, retirees and everything in between. Read on to learn about the strategies and initiatives in the works by some of downtown’s biggest investors and champions.

Logan Aguirre Publisher, Biz 417

MY FAVORITE LESSON

I consider myself lucky to have served alongside Sally Hargis in various community volunteer capacities. I enjoyed her “Advice & Whiskey” profile, where she talks about being a caretaker of her family’s business for the next generation.

Off Road

Artemis Overland Hardware has expanded its offerings, just as interest in off-road adventures is surging.

Page 20

Testing the Merchandise

The owner of Howler Bike Co. saw that 417land needed a place where his customers could let loose on their bikes. So he built a park for them.

Page 18

Branson Believer

Kirk Elmquist tells us that in his role with the Branson/Lakes Area Tourism Community Enhancement District, he’s got a “big, big canvas to paint on.”

Page 19

“If something comes out and it tastes just the way you had it in your mind, it’s a pretty cool thing. At the same time, when it comes out completely different than you had in your mind, that’s still pretty sweet, too.”

—Brian Allen, Ty Iechyd Da’s Director of Distillery and Brewery Operations, p. 21

BREAKTHROUGH STRATEGIES

[HEAT INDEX]

HEAT INDEX

The energy of 417-land has us buzzing like happy bees. Just a few reasons: a milestone for a beloved nonprofit, a chance to hear from Black entrepreneurs and recognition for an educational institution.

BY LUCIE AMBERG

THE NEXT SEASON

The Council of Churches of the Ozarks (CCO) cut the ribbon on its new facility, the Dorsey Levell Ministry Center. “I never imagined, two years ago, that we would be standing in a completed hub of resources dedicated to the benefit of our entire community,” said CCO CEO Jaimie Trussell. She described this milestone as “the first chapter of our next season.”

BUSINESS SAVVY

SCORE, the efactory and the Springfield-Greene County Library District are partnering to present the panel discussion “Black Entrepreneurship in Springfield” on May 9. Rachel Dami Odunewu, Reggie Harris, Samuel Knox and Samuel Timmerman are the scheduled speakers at this lunch-and-learn event. Call 417-883-1974 for more information.

YASS INDEED

Governor Michael Parson and Mayor Ken McClure proclaimed April 4 Innovation in Education Day and The Yass Prize and Discovery Center of Springfield Day, respectively. In 2021, Discovery Center of Springfield (DCS) was selected as the inaugural winner of the $1 million Yass Prize. During the April event, DCS hosted Yass Prize Founder Janine Yass and the Yass Prize leadership team. “The million dollars has been lifechanging, but the real prize is connecting the Discovery Center and all of Springfield to the very best public and private educators in the country,” said Rob Blevins, DCS executive director.

FOUR TO FOLLOW WITH AUSTIN ELLIOTT

As partner and operations director at Locke and Stache, a Springfield-based video production company, Austin Elliott follows social media accounts that can offer great visuals alongside great inspiration.

BY MICHELLE LEWIS

@RICKRUBIN

“Rick Rubin is a music producer that uses his social media account to share quotes and tidbits that he’s learned over the years with the creative community. No matter what your medium is or what your business is, there is always the opportunity to approach something from a different angle. When I see Rick’s posts, I am always reminded of this and take the opportunity to reframe my perspective on projects and start open-ended discussions.”

@SPRINGFIELDCREATIVES

“Springfield Creatives is a commercial creatives group that meets monthly. On their social media, they post new events while highlighting different local creators and projects. It’s a great platform to see other people who are pushing the limits of what can be done here.”

@TIMMCHIUSANO

“The content Timm shares on social media focuses on how he works throughout his day, not just with his job in the office but also with his home life. He works with intentionality on a regimented schedule to allow time to take care of himself and his family. His content is a good reminder of setting personal goals alongside your professional goals.”

@FARMERSGASTROPUB

“As a member of a locally run company, I find it important to put money back into the local community. I look for people that are doing really good work here locally and Farmer’s Gastropub is one that has built a really great business and a great environment of a restaurant. I make sure to check their social media to stay up to speed on lunch specials and always know what they are cooking up.”

BRITTANY BILYEU SUMMER TROTTIER ROB FULP DR. KYLE JOHN REBEKAH SHOCKEY

FIVE ON FIRE

IF YOU BUILD IT

The owner of Howler Bike Co. saw that his customers needed a bike park where they could really enjoy the merchandise.

BY SONIA GUZMAN

The Problem

When Max Penny drove south toward Branson and saw the “beautiful terrain and rolling hills,” he knew that it was the perfect location for a privatized bike park. He envisioned Howler Bike Park as an ideal space for customers at his retail shop, Howler Bike Co., to really enjoy their purchases.

The Big Idea

“Our original idea was to create a park with more difficult trails for advanced riders,” Penny says. After creating a social media page for the park, he realized that there was far more interest than he had anticipated.

“That’s when we shifted the idea from a smaller, more low-key park to a family-oriented, ski resort-style park that would become a place to enjoy the outdoors and make memories together,” he says. He created a business model, found a trail-building company and went to work.

The Learning Curve

The goal was to open Howler Bike Park within nine months of its groundbreaking. “We dealt with record amounts of rainfall during that time,” Penny says. The inclement weather affected every aspect of the build, preventing concrete from being laid and causing the ground to become too muddy to work on trail construction. However, the opening date had already been marketed to the public, so things had to keep moving. “It was scary at times, but we kept our faith,” Penny says.

The Takeaway

The park opened as scheduled in June 2022, and it continues to grow. “Howler is built on resilience,” Penny says. “Opening the park in nine months was a crazy feat, but we did it, and now we’re focused on giving our guests the best experience.”

NIGHTSTAND

David Agee, partner in Husch Blackwell, recommends Vietnam 101: A Class Like No Other, which was written by a 417-lander: Jerry C. Davis, chancellor of College of the Ozarks. Agee calls it “very interesting and informative history.”

Home Run

Expect the Springfield Cardinals to roost in 417-land for years to come. The stadium could soon host concerts and events as well.

BY MARY ELLEN CHILES

The Springfield Cardinals’ General Manager, Dan Reiter, couldn’t be happier about the City of Springfield's purchase of Hammons Field, calling it “the absolute best-case scenario.”

The city paid $12 million for the stadium and $4 million for the Cardinals to become compliant with Major League Baseball (MLB). Minor league teams that want to be affiliated with MLB must sign the Professional Development League (PDL) agreement, a 10year contract. To become compliant, facets of Hammons Field must improve over the next three years.

“Fans won't see some of those things that we have to do, but they're very significant for player health and safety,” Reiter says.

Hammons Field will soon have female locker rooms for both home teams and visitors, as well as expanded training and weight rooms. Expect to see new LED lights. The team also needs to maintain facilities like its awardwinning field. According to Reiter, “About every 10 years, you have to replace the actual playing surface.”

After that, Reiter envisions fun projects, perhaps a beer pier or new kids’ entertainment zones. But he is adamant about giving fans value. Now that the city owns the stadium and parking lots, he says you can expect to pay less to park. “It was never us that charged $20 to park,” he says.

Reiter is hoping the stadium will host outdoor concerts during breaks in the season and fall. The team will continue to share facilities with the Missouri State Bears.

[ON THE RISE]

The Best for Branson

BY JO JOLLIFF

Kirk Elmquist has seen a variety of roles over the years, working for the Springfield Cardinals, Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & Convention and Visitors Bureau. “I worked for three major influences on tourism in our region, and the skill set that I’ve inherited has everything to do with the training those organizations gave me,” Elmquist says.

He has now brought this skill set to the Branson/Lakes Area Tourism Community Enhancement District (TCED) starting as their new Executive Director in October, with plenty of knowledge on tourism to bring into this role. “Thirty years of business has been a perfect culmination to teach me what I need for this position,” he says.

Beyond his experience and knowledge, Elmquist brings a passion for tourism to his new role focusing on economic development. “I have a big, deep love for tourism, and this just seemed very natural to help get involved with the number one industry in our area,” he says. In his new role, he plans to further enhance the visitor experience by focusing on hospitality. “You separate yourself from other places when people visit and are treated with respect and a hospitable attitude,” he says.

Elmquist says he sees an open window for growth in the region stemming from the quality of experience for travelers in the Branson/Lakes area, with a wide variety of leisure, sports and music attractions for families and corporate travel. “We’ve got a big, big canvas to paint on,” he says. To attain this growth, Elmquist says he plans to work hand in hand with the Branson/Lakes Area CVB to achieve “the very best collaboration to put out the best message and invitation.”

Kirk Elmquist brings the perfect culmination of knowledge, experience, skill and passion to his new role as executive director of the Branson/ Lakes Area Tourism Community Enhancement District.

OUTFITTING OFF-THE-GRID

Since opening in 2018, Artemis Overland Hardware has leveraged the exclusivity of its products, its geographic location and an unexpected spike in enthusiasm for outdoor adventures.

BY LUCIE AMBERG

When Aaron Matkowski opened Artemis Overland Hardware in 2018, he set up camp on a niche corner of the market: vehicle-assisted adventures. Imagine driving a Jeep off road, parking it deep in the forest—maybe next to a waterfall—then climbing on top of your vehicle to sleep in a spacious rooftop tent, and you’ve got the right idea.

Artemis sells the equipment and supplies to make this experience happen, and it offers a showroom, where customers can check out the products in person. “A lot of the brands that we carry, we were the first people in the entire Midwest,” Matkowski says. Initially, this exclusivity drew customers from as far away as California and Pennsylvania. When people were passing through the Ozarks, Matkowski says, they’d make a point of visiting Artemis. “They knew we were here and wanted to stop in,” he says.

Matkowski doubled down on this advantage with an aggressive Google Ads campaign centered around brands that Artemis carried. He also forged relationships with online influencers who create off-road adventure content for digital and social media platforms.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, interest in vehicle-assisted adventures suddenly spiked. “Everyone wanted to do it,” Matkowski says. “I remember this guy called me from Chicago and said, ‘I go on four trips a year. We’re still going, but we can’t stay in hotels.’ So they bought a tent to put on their car.”

This brought a boom for Artemis, but it also brought additional suppliers into the market, so Matkowski adjusted to focus more on local customers. He purchased a building on East Olive Street, which has more showroom space—and room for additional products. Artemis now inventories items for backpackers, hikers and people who are interested in traditional, campsitestyle camping. And since people who drive trucks have begun participating in the types of adventures that used to be reserved for off-road vehicles, Artemis stocks a full line of truck camping accessories. As Matkowski puts it, “The market moves fast, so you have to be one step ahead of it.”

Barrel Time

The distillers at Ty Iechyd Da are merging time-honored technique with Missouri ingredients to create sweet-sipping spirits.

BY SUSAN ATTEBERRY SMITH

The team behind Ty Iechyd Da Distillery is accustomed to thinking in “barrel time.”

That’s the time it takes for spirits to age to perfection—at least 30 months.

Standing on the production floor not far from a humming still at the distillery’s Springfield Brewing Co. (SBC) headquarters, Brian Allen, Ty Iechyd Da’s director of distillery and brewery operations, explains that the spirits they’re making that day “could sit in these barrels two, three, four, five times the amount of years before we can actually sell it. It’s really a testament to patience,” he says.

He and the other two members of the distillery’s production team are used to being patient— even though they nip a taste every now and then to check how beverages are aging. With backgrounds in home and commercial brewing, the team of Ty Iechyd Da has come together over the past two years, after SBC acquired Missouri Spirits House in 2020. The following spring, customers at BrewCo, SBC’s popular restaurant, began to see a spirits menu with a variety of new options for unique beverages.

Managing the campus pub as a student at Bowdoin College in Maine sparked Allen’s interest in brewing. Microbreweries had begun to pop up in the area, and soon he and a coworker sought to add the specialty brews they’d sampled to a predictable campus beer list of Bass and Bud Light. To do so, they had to drive to the microbreweries and load beers—not kegs, Allen emphasizes—into a truck. The brewers Allen met on those trips thoroughly impressed him. “It seemed like they had a craft that employed science and impacted people,” he says.

But Allen’s history with brewing had only begun. The upstate New York native went on to study brewing at the Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago. He also helped build and manage a brewery across from Fenway Park in Boston, then moved to Springfield in 2009, eventually landing at Mother’s Brewing Co., where he worked with founder Jeff Schrag to build that brewery. A job offer at a New Orleans brewery took him there in 2016, but, missing Springfield, Allen returned and went to work for BrewCo in 2019.

Andrew Steiger—“Skippy” to friends—had worked with Allen at Mother’s Brewing before he became a distiller at Ty Iechyd Da. Like Allen, the Washington, Missouri, native got interested in the craft as a college student. Home brewing was his hobby as he studied business and finance at the University of Missouri. Later, Steiger helped

establish Leaky Roof Meadery in Buffalo before he joined Ty Iechyd Da as a distiller. “There are a lot of similarities between brewing and distilling,” the 43-year-old says.

The distilling process is part science, part art. The team may decide to blend two barrels to make a drink come closer to their ideal—or opt for a delightful surprise. “If something comes out and it tastes just the way you had it in your mind, it’s a pretty cool thing,” Allen says. “At the same time, when it comes out completely different than you had in your mind, that’s still pretty sweet, too.”

“It’s very similar to cooking recipes,” Steiger adds. “You have empirical data from a recipe you’ve tried before and you can say, ‘Well, I like this aspect of it,’ and that’s kind of how we build our recipes.”

Barrel-to-bottle time isn’t nearly as long for gin, they note—as little as a week from still to bottle. Ty Iechyd Da’s Ozark Mountain Daredevils Dry Gin flavors BrewCo cocktails like the Peach Collins and the SBC L.I.T., which also includes the distillery’s vodka, rum and a candied orange liqueur called Sweet Blondie’s—named, like the Songbird gins, after BrewCo owners Neil and Christina Chanter’s daughters.

Ty Iechyd Da’s Hinterland Maple Bourbon is already a favorite among customers. With plans to expand the distillery’s production area in the works, Allen and Steiger say they’re excited about spirits that should be bottled up and served at BrewCo as soon as this summer. Brandy lovers can look forward to spirits made from Missouri apples as well as one concocted during the pandemic with fruits from Springfield-based Date Lady organic dates. They’re even “playing around” with cocoa nibs from Askinosie Chocolate to create a chocolate liqueur, he adds.

“At the end of the day, you see a tank full of whiskey and you’re like, ‘Okay, I did something today,’” Allen says.

[Editor’s note: The third member of the distilling team, Head Distiller and Production Manager Brandon Moore, was traveling abroad when this interview was conducted.]

Brian Allen, Brandon Moore and Andrew Steiger of Ty lechyd Da spirits.

A LINEAGE OF HERITAGE

At Cassidy Station at Estes Farms, Hollie and Kyle Estes are preserving a historic Christian County farm for future generations.

BY JENNIFER SWENSON

Kyle Estes and his wife, Hollie, are writing a new chapter in the 150-year history of his family farm. Witnessing the rapid development of Ozark, they knew they needed to find creative ways to preserve the 270-acre cattle farm. “I couldn’t stand the thought of the farm being sold to a developer,” says Estes. “So I sat in my truck for hours, dreaming up ideas.” This became a multi-phase heritage project called Cassidy Station at Estes Farms. It includes a mercantile, a meat shop, a flower shop, a boutique Airbnb and multiple event spaces.

Every phase of the project has restored an old building to a fresh purpose. The former family home has been remodeled into Cassidy Mercantile, which offers housewares and gifts, hand-selected for their connection to regional, small or womenowned businesses. Cassidy Meat Co., housed in the old milk barn, sells beef from livestock raised on the cattle farm. And Cassidy Floral Co. brings Estes family history full circle. Kyle’s mother was a florist when he was growing up, and thanks to her influence, he had long dreamed of owning a flower shop.

“The meat and floral shops were good tie-ins for the preservation project,” Estes says. So, too, are the event spaces, which were remodeled from the farm’s outbuildings. In the future, Cassidy Station at Estes Farms will host events such as market days, a Christmas tree lot and intimate wine dinners.

Each space at Cassidy Station at Estes Farms bears meaningful details from the farm’s past. The walls of the mercantile display vintage family photos and paintings of Cassidy. The sink from the former milk barn is used daily in the flower shop. The counter of the mercantile has been repurposed from an antique door. “Nothing is wasted,” says Estes. “We reuse everything we can.” This careful preservation is key. “We want visitors to experience the farm and the rural feel of Christian County,” he says. “We want them to feel like they are visiting Grandma’s house.”

PLACE TO BE

2023 Small Business Award Luncheon

Wednesday, May 10

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Small Business Award luncheon, presented by Biz 417, to help celebrate the important role small businesses play in our regional economy.

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. May 10 Oasis Hotel & Convention Center

Tickets and information: SpringfieldChamber.com

Financial Literacy

We talked with Loretta Roney, then-president/CEO of Volt Credit Union, to discuss Volt’s new education venture. [Editor’s note: This interview took place before Roney announced her move to a new position in Florida.]

BY EMILY LETTERMAN

Biz 417: Through this partnership, Volt Credit Union will open the first student-operated credit union in Missouri. How did this vision for Hillcrest High School come to be?

Loretta Roney: This is something that has been in the back of our minds for a long time. Since Dr. Grenita Lathan came to SPS, workforce pathways are a big initiative for her. We looked for other credit unions who were successfully operating student-run credit unions to help us learn best practices. We went to Hutchinson, Kansas, last May to tour Heartland Credit Union. Then we hopped on several calls with a credit union in Orlando, Florida. They are the epitome of what this could grow into. They’re in 16 high schools and have really built this program out around the state.

Biz: This will be a working branch staffed primarily by students. Is this a class or a job?

LR: This will be set up more like an internship. If we can start with these students, who may not be learning these habits at home, and help them to develop good habits, it will go a long way. Conversations about things like budgeting, student loan debt and work ethics will help set them up to succeed. When they have the right tools, our community wins. When they have pathways out of poverty, when they learn how important their credit score is, when they learn how to create a budget— the difference can add up to millions over a lifetime. Our community then prospers.

Ladies

Biz: Why Hillcrest High School?

LR: Hillcrest is a five-minute drive from our northside location. It has a high enrollment of students from economically challenged homes, where you tend to see more struggles to balance budgets and the effect of predatory lending. We want to change that. We plan to open in the spring semester of 2024. Right now, Volt is funding the whole project, but we hope to grow grant funding in the future. Volt is a lowincome designated credit union. We are also working to apply for grants to help sustain financial literacy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT SPS.ORG AND SEARCH THE TERM “CREDIT UNION.”

Loretta Roney

#NAILED IT FAILED IT

“I started with not very much,” says restaurateur David Bauer. “My mom was a lunch lady, a shortorder cook. My dad was a cabinet maker. They were very good parents, but I’ve been working since I was a kid.” Here, he tells us the story of how an early career experience made a big impression—inspiring him to open his own business and permanently influencing how he treats his employees. For more from Bauer, see this issue’s cover story on p. 46.

#Nailed It Failed It

“I used to run a Mexican restaurant chain. I was doing very well with the company. We were on our way to D.C. one weekend. It was myself and the owner and five or six of his corporate operators from his company… He had me sit by him, and he was railing on this guy in front of him. ‘You don’t have the numbers.’ We got to D.C., and he told the guy, ‘You’re fired. You don’t work for me any more. Get your own way home.’ It was the first weekend of the Gulf War. There was no way that guy was going to get home, not for a while. I didn’t want to be that guy. That’s why I went into business for myself… We came out strong. When I opened up Coyote’s, it was ‘go, go, go.’ Six months later, Applebee’s, Ruby Tuesday’s, everybody hit us. Sales went down. I got to where we were only doing $8,000 a week. I was like, ‘If we can just get to $10,000.’ I kept working my way back up… Then eventually, the people who were working with me had now been working with me for 10 years. And I felt I couldn’t make enough money for all the families who were riding this train with me. That’s when we opened our second restaurant; we opened Mille’s [Café, downtown]. It’s starting to roll, and it’s rolling, and we’re doing great with it. Now, I’ve got people who’ve done 15 years with me, three or four of them. Well, they’re starting to raise families. I need to do something else. We opened up Nixa [Coyote’s]. We hit Nixa, and it was like ‘bang!’

Everything’s going great with it. And then Ruby Tuesday’s, same thing. So we’re going, and all three restaurants are going, and I’m starting to feel the numbers declining downtown. I could feel the numbers start to decline downtown, so I opened a restaurant down at Table Rock Lake. I always wanted a lake kind of restaurant; I love the water. Bang! Right out the box. We hit it. It was $550,000 the first year, 125 days. First table in the restaurant: 35 people. Next table: 25. And I worked a legitimate 100 hours a week in that restaurant. I was working from May to August, 100 hours a week, and I needed to be there. I did as much as the other three restaurants combined in that short period. And the restaurant owned me. That’s my failure part: It owned me .” #FailedIt

“[Because of this realization], I sold my Nixa restaurant to a guy that worked for me for a long time, [Marc Robinson]. He always wanted to be in the business. That was a very proud moment in my life when I helped Marc achieve his goal. Yeah, I got okay money for it, but it was important to me because I was Marc... I appreciate my employees. They’ve given me my life. They can go work anywhere. They’ve helped me raise my family, helped me get what I’ve got. My goal now is: I try to make as much as I can so we can give it to the staff. I’m still trying to make just enough for what I need, and my plan is to have one of the highest paid kitchens in Springfield. I think about what I started with, what I’ve been able to get. Yeah, I think I could have had a lot more, but I feel comfortable with what I’ve done. I’ve made other people’s lives okay. I’ve been able to raise a family. My wife hates when I say this, but I take employees to raise. A lot of times, I took people from the time they just left Mommy and Daddy’s house to the time they become grown adults, so I just try to make them better people. Be considerate. Come to work on time. Lead, follow or get out of the way. All those different things you teach them. That’s important to me. Right now, I’m teaching managers to understand that some people have problems with anxiety and different things they have going on in their lives, so not to take everyone at face value but to look deeper. That means a lot to me. My whole philosophy is that if I can’t help you get that house with the white picket fence and two cars in the garage, I’ll help you get there. I’m an underdog guy. I like underdogs winning. You have to understand that these people are giving their lives to you—just by showing up and working at your restaurant, they’re giving their lives to you. Yes, I could have been more ruthless or made more money, but I feel good about myself. I can sleep at night.” #NailedIt

Evans & Dixon, LLC, is a full-service, regional law firm trusted by small and large business owners throughout Southwest Missouri.

They represent clients in a multitude of areas, including: bankingrelated litigation and loan review; business organization; employment matters; estate and succession planning; general civil litigation; insurance-related litigation and claims; mediations; shareholder agreements; transactions and outside general counsel for corporations.

By operating with the client’s best interest in mind, Evans & Dixon, LLC, is committed to helping business owners and insurers throughout 417-land achieve business success. Whether you’re an entrepreneur delving into a new small business venture, an established owner looking to merge or sell, or a CEO seeking counsel to protect your company, their business attorneys have the experience to tailor advice to your specific needs.

Your needs come first in Evans & Dixon’s approach to Workers’ Compensation law. Their attorneys are well-practiced at different claim-handling philosophies and, with a long-standing reputation of timely communication, are often involved in legislation.

Of course, in litigation law, there is nothing more important than experience. Evans & Dixon’s Civil and Commercial Litigation attorneys approach complex tort cases, involving a multitude of industries, with necessary aggression and a focus on timely results.

Learn more about their strengths and resources at evans-dixon.com.

Back row: Kevin Dunaway, Of Counsel; Brad Tuck, Member; Jacob Eddy, Senior Associate; Karen Johnson, Member; Lynn Rodgers, Of Counsel

Front row: Shari Lockhart, Member; Joshua Baker, Senior Associate; Brittany Perry, Senior Associate

Husch Blackwell is a different kind of law firm, built around the industries and needs of its clients. In Springfield and across the country, Husch Blackwell attorneys help their clients achieve success by providing leading legal strategies supported by leading-edge capabilities in service delivery.

By prioritizing the client experience, Husch Blackwell empowers its people to develop collaborative legal solutions that draw on the collective knowledge of the firm’s 900+ attorneys nationwide and the deep business acumen of its professional staff. Backed by the experience of world-class business teams, Husch Blackwell lawyers don’t just solve legal problems, they help clients make data-driven decisions, optimize their operations, and gain competitive advantages.

As Springfield’s only AmLaw 100 firm, Husch Blackwell is uniquely positioned to serve as a trusted legal partner for local business leaders. One of the key features of the firm’s new Springfield office is its stateof-the-art technology upgrades, which foster communication and teamwork. From this new space, Husch Blackwell attorneys are wellequipped to continue building lasting relationships with clients by taking the time to understand each client’s specific business needs and aligning value-driven legal solutions with their goals.

For more information on Husch Blackwell’s uncommon approach, visit huschblackwell.com.

Lauren Haskins, Michael Cosby, Laura Robinson, JP Barker, Daniel Wilkinson, Bryan Wade, Amanda Tummons, Caleb Hunt, J. Michael Bridges, Christie Brunty, David Agee, Lauren Hawkins, Christopher Peterson, Ryan Olson, Cory Collins

Wampler & Passanise provides unmatched experience in defense of juveniles and adults facing serious criminal allegations at the federal, state, and municipal court levels. The firm has an experienced team of legal professionals providing clients with winning defense strategies for the most serious criminal charges, including homicide, drugs and weapons offenses, fraud, embezzlement, white-collar crime, felony DUI/DWI, and crimes involving domestic violence and burglary. A key point of difference is the firm’s team approach to cases and experience litigating in the courtroom.

The firm, led by Managing Partner Joseph S. Passanise, a Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, and Associate Attorney Taylon M. Sumners, has been recognized among the region’s best criminal defense firms by Super Lawyers®, Best Lawyers©, AVVO, the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. The firm has been recognized by U.S. News Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” in 2023 as a Tier 1 Criminal Defense: White Collar and DUI/DWI Defense firm.

Passanise was recognized by Best Lawyers© 2023 Ed. for Criminal Defense General Practice, White-Collar, and DUI/DWI. He serves on the Missouri Board of Tourism.

Sumners was recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Criminal Defense and in the Up-and-Coming category by Missouri Lawyers in 2022. She serves on the Greene County Historical Sites Board.

Taylon Sumners and Joseph S. Passanise

PROFILES

Cantin Mynarich, LLC

Cantin Mynarich, LLC, aggressively defends individuals accused of serious drug, firearm, white-collar and sex offenses in state and federal courts. They know this is a scary time, so Shane Cantin and Erica Mynarich prioritize frequent communication with their clients. Cantin Mynarich fully investigates the facts of your case and all possible defenses and advocates for the best possible result.

Because Shane and Erica only handle criminal matters, they have developed strong relationships with the prosecutors and courts. Due to their reputation and results at trial and on appeal, other lawyers often refer their most complex criminal cases to Cantin Mynarich.

417-831-6363 | CANTINMYNARICH.COM

2560 S. GLENSTONE AVE. SUITE C | SPRINGFIELD

Ozarks Elder Law

Thousands of families place their trust in Ozarks Elder Law each year for asset protection, estate planning, Medicaid, probate, business succession planning, elder law litigation, nursing home planning, and trust administration.

For over twenty years, OEL has remained true to their mission: education and advocacy for the elderly by offering free consultations to provide options. With this conviction behind them, they’ve grown to nine locations throughout the Ozarks.

Managing partner Lori Rook was recently selected to the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers for elder law and has been recognized statewide as a “Rising Star” and “Law Firm Leader” by Missouri Lawyers Weekly. Rook was also named a Most Influential Woman by Springfield Business Journal in 2021 and honored in the 2019 “40 Under 40” class. Partner Elyse Hartley was named an up-and-coming Trusted Advisor by Springfield Business Journal in 2019.

Their unwavering commitment to advocacy and peace of mind makes this all women team of seven attorneys a go-to choice for elder law.

417-868-8200 | OZARKSELDERLAW.COM

2832 S. INGRAM MILL RD. #100 | SPRINGFIELD

Shane Cantin and Erica Mynarich

Back row: Lisa Dewoody-Clark, Lori Rook, Elyse Hartley

Middle row: Katherine Douglas-Johnson, Amanda Wolf

Front row: Vera Moritz, Mel Myears

Twibell Pierson

The Twibell Pierson Law Firm began in 1975 when attorney Bert Twibell left the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office for a career in private practice, helping people solve their problems. Today, the attorneys of Twibell Pierson have over 90 years of combined experience, and strive to provide unmatched criminal defense and client service.

What separates Twibell Pierson from other firms is the team approach they take to every client and case. When you hire them, you are hiring their entire firm, not just one attorney.

Twibell Pierson is the proud recipient of recognition that includes two lawyers in America® and two Tier 3 awards from U.S. News—Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” in 2023 for Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar.

Back row: Bryan Delleville, Branden Twibell, and Scott Pierson

Front row: Bert Twibell and Kristie Pierce

Good options for your business. Good options for your people.

For over 35 years, 417-land clients and their employees have trusted Med-Pay with dedicated service, expert guidance and product innovation. We work harder so your life is easier.

Consistency

Med-Pay o ers expert guidance and remains on the leading edge in the ever-changing world of health care.

Stability

Med-Pay provides options for both fully insured and self-funded plans for any size organization, crafted around every unique circumstance.

Longevity

Med-Pay is one of the longest-running individually owned and independent Third Party Administrators in the state

Missouri.

Moved In Husch Blackwell’s new home on East Sunshine is brimming with dynamic works of art and welcoming spaces.

Page 32

Banking on the Community

Jason England shares the lessons he learned and the values he developed as he came up through the ranks of Arvest Bank.

Page 37

Coca-Cola Classic

Sally Hargis met up with us at Maso Pizza Bar to talk about growing up, her early career and the culture of her family’s 103-year-old business.

Page 38

“I can even sometimes hear [my mentors]... and what they’d be telling me. Now it’s time for me to have that type of effect on our team.”

—Jason England, Arvest Bank’s President of the Springfield-Branson market, p. 37

Firm Meets Function

Out with the old and in with the new! When Husch Blackwell moved from Hammons Tower—the firm’s home for 27 years—to a new office space in southeast Springfield, the firm took the opportunity to rethink what it needed. In its new home, Husch Blackwell prioritized open, collaborative workspaces that merge form with function and ease with elegance. We spoke to Bryan Wade, managing partner of Husch Blackwell’s Springfield office, and Cara Eichenberger, regional office administrator, about the new space.

BY COLIN SHEA DENNISTON

PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRANDON ALMS

1

Upon entering Husch Blackwell’s office—which covers the entire third floor of the recently constructed building on East Sunshine Street— visitors are met with stately yet inviting lobby space, featuring a large front desk with a modern chandelier placed just off-center.

2

space sits right outside of the firm’s largest conference room and steps away from the café. It’s an ideal spot to relax during the lunch hour or to have a quick side conversation during a large meeting. “This is my favorite space in the whole office,” Eichenberger says. “I love the way it looks; I love the way it feels.”

3

“Everything’s just a little different, and that’s what was so wonderful about it,” says Eichenberger about the variety of artwork throughout the office, including this piece by Erna Uçar. The firm made a point of focusing on artist diversity, selecting art by women and artists of color. “There’s also a variety of types of art,” Eichenberger adds.

“It’s not all just paintings on canvas.”

4

In addition to the kitchen area, the café has ample seating—both table and booth seating—a large flatscreen TV and a fully stocked coffee bar.

“It’s like a fancy gas station coffee machine,” Wade laughs.

5

The northeast corner of the office houses the café, which feels more like a hip San Diego bar than a law firm’s break room. “We just had a big barbecue out on the patio, and it was too chilly, so everybody came in here and ate,” Eichenberger says. “[It’s] a beautiful place to eat.” Wade adds that the common areas, including the stylish café, are “huge positives for both the employees who came over from Hammons and the new people that have come on since we moved here.”

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6

Anchoring the main lobby is the seating area, with large-scale fireplace and four handsomely designed chairs. The mix of textures and generally neutral color palette help make the large space feel welcoming and a bit more intimate. “It was very important to us to stay warm and approachable and still be high-end like the rest of the firm,” Eichenberger says.

gymdepotusa.com to schedule your consultation!

7

“Libraries have changed over the years,” explains Wade. “It used to be that you’d see a much larger room than this with lots of books. [Now] it’s all electronic or maintained electronically. All that’s done on your computer or laptop, so there really isn’t a huge necessity for a large library.” The library design is a prime example of the firm’s goal of having a more efficient workspace. “By having a smaller library, you have more room for offices or other [spaces],” Wade says.

GYM EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR BUSINESS, SCHOOL, HOTEL AND HOME.

-Michael

Noah and Alyea Alldredge, owners

REALIZING THE POWER OF COMMUNITY BANKING WITH JASON ENGLAND

Learn how Jason England worked his way up through different roles at Arvest Bank over the course of 25 years to become president of the Springfield-Branson market and what has made his time with Arvest so rewarding.

BY MAX HAVEY

Even as a high schooler, Jason England wanted to be a bank president, and after 25 years that finally became a reality when he became president of Arvest Bank for the Springfield-Branson market.

England started banking in high school and college and saw firsthand what kind of impact a community bank could have. “I saw what they did for their local community and saw the role that the lenders and the bank president played as a prominent person in the community, while also giving back,” England says.

Fresh out of college, he worked in accounting before eventually making the leap to commercial banking for a community bank in Springdale, Arkansas, that would become an Arvest Bank. After working his way up with roles in Fayetteville and the Bentonville-Rogers area, England received the opportunity to take on a loan manager role for the Springfield-Branson market, which led him to his current position.

The key to what has made him stay with Arvest Bank for nearly 25 years is the way leadership still listens at the local level. “We used to say, ‘We’ll out-big the bigs and out-small the smalls.’ That’s really hard to do,” England says. “We’re still in tune enough with our as-

sociates that we listen to them, but we’re still big enough that we can offer a lot of products, a lot of the things that the big banks do.”

Coming into the role of President of the Springfield-Branson region, England saw room to continue to expand Arvest’s market share in the community and continue to expand an already strong legacy team.

“I’m not just looking for a commercial banker,” England says. “I’m looking for a good person, somebody who’s community minded, and then we’ll teach the finance part.”

Having spent 25 years with Arvest also means that England has had a long string of leadership mentors. “It’s funny because I can even sometimes hear them in my head and what they’d be telling me,” England says.

“Now it’s now time for me to have that type of effect on our team.”

And as Arvest continues to grow and expand in the Springfield-Branson region, England is most excited by their opportunity in the market and transforming to become a community bank of the future.

Outside of his work at Arvest, England is also a lifelong University of Arkansas Razorbacks fan, noting that he never misses a weekend home game. In fact, he has even turned this into a generational fandom with season tickets—and the same seats—that have been in his family for nearly 35 years and continues now that his daughter calls the Razorbacks’ campus home.

[ADVICE & WHISKEY]

CAN’T STOP. WON’T STOP.

Sally Hargis hasn’t come up with a personal motto; the vice president/chairman of the board of Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co. is too busy growing her 103-yearold family business. We met up with this cola kingpin at Maso Pizza Bar to talk about needlework, family and what really drives her.

BY MICHAEL STEVENS

On her aspirations growing up “My mom was a homemaker and was really good at it. I loved being in the home with her. I loved cooking. I loved needlework, and yet I really had this draw to business.”

“Business was always discussed. I knew I wasn’t going to be a homemaker but wanted to be the best I could at that and still be able to be in business.”

On her path before joining the family business, Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co.

“I had a friend—really a mentor—Larry Dixon, who was just starting an AM daytime radio station: KBUG. He got me interested in selling advertising. I would go out and sell and come back and sit with him at the end of the day, and he would give me pointers. I went from there to work at KY3 for 10 years. In 1990, I had my second baby and just started to spend more time with Dad [Edwin “Cookie” Rice]. I thought, ‘What in the world am I doing not being involved in our family business? It’s right here—I live and breathe it.’ I made the decision to make that move.”

On Ozarks Coca Cola’s commitment to not implement layoffs

“We still haven’t [laid people off]. It was a commitment that my grandfather made and that we’ve

continued. In March of 2020 [when the COVID-19 pandemic hit], we sat around in the office and asked, ‘How are we going to do this?’ Everyone looked at each other and said, ‘We have to do it.’ So we got creative, because you are responsible for those families. These aren’t just employees; these are families.”

Words of wisdom

“Here’s the thing: It’s not about me and what my accomplishments are. I am just a caretaker. I am just here to move this business forward to the next generation. And to inspire that next generation to continue to do the same thing. I am not an owner, just a caretaker.”

THE RECEIPT

Sally Hargis and Michael Stevens met up at Maso Pizza Bar.

FIRST MIDWEST BANK

Made in the Midwest

For over 50 years, First Midwest Bank has provided local customer service and innovative banking solutions to several communities across Missouri. Those same tools and services are now available to the Springfield area at First Midwest Bank’s new location at 2540 East Sunshine.

Led by Community Bank President and Springfield-area native Matt Bower, First Midwest Bank offers a lineup of checking, savings and lending products designed to help individuals and businesses grow— including a unique indexed money market account, a high-interest commercial checking account and

competitive lending rates.

But being part of a community is more than having a building and providing products and services. It’s about supporting the schools, families and organizations that make the Springfield community great. And it’s about being there to listen, help and guide customers down the right path to help them achieve their financial goals—through all stages of life.

First Midwest Bank looks forward to continuing to grow as part of the Springfield community and invites you to stop by and see why First Midwest Bank is a new banking experience.

Daryan Noel, Universal Banker; Julie Lacobee, Universal Banker; Westin Gann, Credit Analyst; Matt Bower, Community Bank President; Steve Millington, Regional Market President; Emma Shelton, Universal Banker; Bailie Latz, Operations Manager

“It’s about being there to listen, to help and guide their customers down the right path...”

FINANCIAL ADVISOR PROFILES

For 27 years the Achieve Private Wealth team has helped clients achieve their dreams for today, tomorrow and well into the future. With the exclusive Confident Retirement® approach, they break your financial goals into doable steps, taking the uncertainty out of planning and helping you to live the life you earned.

They are led by Private Wealth Advisor Paula Dougherty, BFA™, CFP®, APMA®, MBA, CRPC®, ChFC®, CLU®, CASL®; J. Scott Taylor, CFP®, CRPC® Financial Advisor; Sam Ackerman, APMA®, CRPC®, Financial Advisor; and Associate Financial Advisor Amber Vanderwal. Each advisor specializes in providing a comprehensive approach to financial planning including wealth management, portfolio construction, rebalancing and investment management strategies. Additionally, they specialize in the areas of retirement planning and risk management strategies, as well as assisting clients with choosing employee benefits that fit their needs.

Achieve Private Wealth helps 417-landers achieve their financial goals based on what is truly important to them. They are here to help you adapt to any changes you face along the way and formulate plans for both the expected and the unexpected.

Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. A tradition of commitment since 1894. A legacy of putting clients first.

Samuel M. Ackerman, Financial Advisor; Paula Dougherty, Private Wealth Advisor; Scott Taylor, Financial Advisor; Amber Vanderwal, Associate Financial Advisor

There’s something to be said for “being local.” It means a lot to customers when they meet with their banker face-to-face…one-on-one. At Central Bank, that’s just how business is done. Important decisions are made in person, rather than exchanging emails and phone calls with someone in a faraway office who doesn’t even know you. If you want to change the way you do your banking, see Central Bank today.

Central Bank has been serving businesses in the Springfield area since 1956, including everything from commercial developments and real estate purchases to working capital and lines of credit. Plus, choose from a broad-based menu of checking, investment, and cash management tools to keep your business running smoothly.

If you haven’t experienced local community banking at its best, reach out to any of Central Bank’s commercial lenders today to discuss what’s right for you and your business. Whether you’re just setting up shop or financing a multimillion-dollar expansion, Central Bank is here to help.

1800 S. Glenstone Ave. Springfield | 417-881-3100

centralbank.net

Back row (Left to Right): Stephanie Murphy, VP Loan Officer (NMLS# 1313740), Tyler Phillips, AVP Loan Officer (NMLS# 1706830), Blair Gann, Loan Officer (NMLS# 2299464), Corey Harmon, SVP Commercial Loan Officer (NMLS# 1402061), Blake Will, SVP Director of Commercial Lending (NMLS# 2119348), Jeff Jones, VP Loan Officer (NMLS# 1159752), Andy Redman, VP Commercial Loan Officer (NMLS# 710920), Rob Turner, SVP Commercial Loan Officer (NMLS# 1197661), Bryan Horton, VP Commercial Loan Officer (NMLS# 2108011), Justin Loveday, VP Loan Officer (NMLS# 914231) Front row (Left to Right): Jamie Clark, Community President (NMLS# 554855), Missy Montgomery, SVP Commercial Loan Officer (NMLS# 412281), Rick Watts, SVP Commercial Loan Officer (NMLS# 554857), Joselyn Baldner, President & CEO (NMLS# 2365769), Jacob Kellett, SVP Chief Credit Officer (NMLS# 733118), Barbra Wallace, SVP Commercial Loan Officer (NMLS# 554849), Kendal Dingus, VP Loan Officer (NMLS# 1695099), Michael Baldus, Loan Officer (NMLS#2432995)

1256 E. Kingsley St. Springfield | 417-882-7283

800 State Highway 248, Suite 2B Branson | 417-334-6141

merceradvisors.com/locations/springfield/

Agood thing is even better. HYA Advisors is now part of Mercer Advisors, a national financial planning and wealth management firm. Our CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals will continue offering an elevated level of expertise with expanded services including tax planning and preparation, additional estate planning services and corporate trustee management and planning.

You only get one chance at retirement so it’s important to make a plan built specifically for you based on goals for your future. The professionals at Mercer Advisors have been helping clients reach their retirement goals for over 35 years, answering questions like, do I have enough in savings to retire? When should I take my Social Security benefits? What growth rate do I need on my investments?

They provide guidance so you are confident the decisions you make today can help you get the most out of retirement. Their comprehensive approach will assist you with Retirement Planning, Tax Reduction Strategies, Estate Preservation, Risk and Portfolio Management, Income Distribution Planning, Long-Term Care and Insurance Analysis, Education/College Savings and Social Security Optimization. Contact one of our CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals to get on the right path for a comfortable, successful financial future and have confidence knowing your retirement is on track.

Professionals Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board)

Back row: Jeff Bilberry, Brent Singleton, Jonathan Vance, Mike Sharp, Kaz Woodward

Front row: Nicholas McDowell, Holly Gray, Ethan Wallace

Celebrating 120 years of serving the communities where its employees live, Simmons Bank - Private Wealth has been working with individual clients, businesses, family foundations, endowments and charitable organizations to provide fully coordinated planning and advisement to address their complex financial needs. Locally, the bank’s team of over a dozen specialized professionals (Attorneys, CFPs, CTFAs and CISPs), provide comprehensive wealth solutions to clients and manage roughly $1.3 Billion in assets.

Investment management is not just about finding the best stock or bond. Each individual has specific goals, risk tolerances and return objectives. Uniquely specialized investment managers take the time to understand those needs before the first security is purchased. Once investment objectives are determined, the team builds out a sophisticated, disciplined and diversified investment portfolio that is designed to meet their client’s needs.

In order to exceed their client's financial goals, Simmons Bank’s professionals create a plan. Financial and Estate Planning involves defining long-term objectives, implementing a plan and periodically assessing the results. Whether a client’s goals are retirement, charitable giving, business succession, protecting assets or leaving a legacy to the next generation, a team of planning experts can help navigate the changing legal and tax landscape to ensure goals are met.

Effective financial management is crucial to protecting and managing wealth, supporting the financial security of your loved ones and building your personal legacy. Work with a sophisticated, professional team with extensive experience in the complexities of wealth management. Simmons Bank - Private Wealth is here to protect what you’ve built with customized Trust and Estate Planning services for you and your family.

Back row: Beth Koppang, Matt Williams, Kirsten Morgan, Andy Drennen, Jennifer Moore, and Stephen Smith

Front row: Jonathan Robertson, Maria Stockton, Sarah Frossard, Sumer Tripp, Tricia Yim, Steve Kamienski

WHAT’S GOING ON

People have many questions about downtown Springfield. What’s going on in the district? Is it safe? And what will it take to write the next chapter in its story?

WRITTEN BY TESSA COOPER, ETTIE BERNEKING, LUCIE AMBERG AND JO JOLLIFF PHOTOGRAPHED BY LEAH STIEFERMANN, ART DIRECTION BY SARAH PATTON

IS DOWNTOWN SAFE? // P.48

WHAT IS DOWNTOWN’S BRAND? // P.51

WHAT ABOUT PARKING? // P.53

When I think about downtown Springfield,

I think about happy memories, like the night that Billy, John and Karen McQueary first welcomed guests to Vantage Rooftop Lounge and Conservatory, revealing a spectacular new way to look at our city. I think of all the times I’ve picked up pastas and cakes from Jenny Russo at St. Michael’s. I think about fireworks at Springfield Cardinals games and sweet faces peering at macarons in the cases of European Café. I remember the evening my family joined hundreds of 417-landers in Park Central Square to celebrate as a spruce from our yard became the City of Springfield’s Christmas tree. And the time we grabbed supper at Prairie Pie before walking through a magical twilight to catch a movie at Moxie Cinema. All of these warm feelings—I associate them with downtown.

When I’m downtown—say, walking from my car to meet a friend for coffee—I’m often approached by someone asking for money. I have compassion for anyone whose circumstances are such that they feel compelled to ask a passerby for help, and intellectually, I know that person probably means me no harm. But by this point in my life, I’ve experienced so many sticky situations that when any stranger, especially a male stranger, approaches me on the street, my whole body goes into high-alert mode. And unfortunately, that’s another feeling I associate with downtown.

In our interview with Springfield Chief of Police Paul Williams (p. 48), we ask, “Is downtown safe?” Williams says that it is and supplies statistics to back up his statement. Regardless, people tell us that they sometimes feel unsafe downtown. This may be because we tend to mix our concerns about crime with our concerns about homelessness, even though they’re separate issues. In fact, according to research, including data from the peer-reviewed journal The Lancet, a person who’s homeless is more likely to be a victim of crime than someone who has housing. This makes sense—someone who’s living without the benefit of housing is in a uniquely vulnerable position. Still, in that moment when a stranger approaches me on an empty sidewalk, I feel vulnerable, and it affects how I feel about being downtown.

So how do you contend with a feeling? One theory, articulated by Jane Jacobs in her 1961 book The Death and Life of Great American Cities, holds that downtown neighborhoods feel safer when there are more people around. Jacobs believed that empty spaces can feel lonely, abandoned—a little unsafe. But the same spaces can feel vibrant and secure when the sidewalks are busy and the vibe is bustling.

Echoing this idea, many of the sources we spoke to for this story mentioned the importance of getting more people downtown. The big question is: What might make that happen? John McQueary (p. 50) hopes to see more creative professionals opening offices downtown. Jenny Russo (p. 52) would like more retail in the district. Tim O’Reilly (p. 49) is optimistic about the ability of upscale destinations to lure people downtown. Brad Erwin (p. 52) wants more people to work—and live—in the neighborhood. “The more activity you have, the safer it becomes and the more people feel comfortable to come downtown,” he says. Two business owners, Benjamin Sapp and David Bauer (p. 53), bring up a practical consideration that may be keeping workers away: parking. Bauer also proposes a surprising idea for where the City of Springfield might designate additional parking spaces.

No matter what downtown’s future looks like, it will have an outsized impact on the future of our region. Bauer tells us: “If something’s going wrong, I always go right back to the center. I go back to the core and work my way out... That’s what should happen downtown.” Downtown Springfield is core to 417-land. It’s the past and the future. It tells our story, and surely that story is big, rich and enduring enough to offer roles for each of us.—Lucie Amberg

A BIG QUESTION: IS DOWNTOWN SAFE?

There’s a perception that downtown is unsafe—or at least less safe than it could be. We talked to Springfield Chief of Police Paul Williams about whether this perception is accurate and what can be done about it.

BY ETTIE BERNEKING

Biz 417: First off, what is downtown’s footprint on the community?

Paul Williams: What we define as downtown is the CID or community improvement district. Downtown means different things to different people. Some people think it’s just the square, some people think it’s anything north of Grand. But when we look at stats and crime, it’s the CID.

Biz: Do you think there’s still a perception that downtown is dangerous?

P.W.: Unfortunately, people who have lived their whole lives here still have a perception of downtown as dangerous, and they don’t venture out. Then people who move here think it’s great.

Biz: What do the crime stats show?

P.W.: We track two things: calls for service and reports. In downtown over three years, we’ve had about 2,500 calls for service total and only 1,600 actual reports. The biggest issue we get calls about is abandoned vehicles. People are concerned about things like assault or robberies or shootings. Yes that occurs, but it’s not frequent. We’ve had eight sexual assaults reported in three years. Now any one of those would be bad, but it’s not happening frequently. Robbery reports happen about five times a year.

Biz: As the number of events and businesses downtown has increased, has the police presence also increased?

P.W.: Last year when we rearranged our beats and deployment of officers, we put two full squads of officers downtown almost 24 hours a day. That’s about 20 people who work just the entertainment district alone.

Biz: Do business owners and residents think that’s enough?

P.W.: They almost always want more police, but we haven’t heard that since we added more officers. And the CID business owners

all pay into a fund that pays for extra offduty officers for events or extended hours during the day. And I’ll say safety is getting better downtown.

Biz: Do you think it’s getting better because there are now business owners who are invested in downtown being a safer environment?

P.W.: It goes both ways because we’re also invested in them. Each district around Springfield has a dedicated police liaison. Anytime someone wants to provide info, they have a point of contact with the police department. That liaison also attends the neighborhood association meetings to report on crime rates or talk about problems that might be arising. That’s been in place for more than 12 years. There’s a map of that on our website where you can find the officers’ names and contact info for each district. That liaison has meant there’s an increased level of communication.

Biz: What could business owners or residents do to improve safety?

P.W.: We do crime prevention through environmental design, so we encourage people when they’re opening a venue or a business to meet with us so we can advise them on how to make the space more inviting for customers and less inviting for criminals. But also, let us know if you have a camera. You can register it with us, so in case something happens, we can find the camera footage right away.

Biz: What would you tell people who don’t go downtown?

P.W.: If you haven’t been downtown in 20 years, go downtown. Go make a dinner reservation. Go to one of the festivals and start off with a daytime event. Go to Vantage and enjoy a drink on the rooftop bar. Go see an independent movie at The Moxie. It’s a vibrant area that I think most cities would love to have.

A DOWNTOWN STORY OF DEVELOPMENT:

TIM O’REILLY

When Tim O’Reilly purchased the 1920sera, eight-story office building at 430 South Avenue in 2017, only a few tenants remained while most of the space was vacant. However, he had a vision for it.

Now, construction crews are restoring and transforming it into the Moxy Hotel, a boutique hospitality concept. Springfield’s Moxy Hotel location will feature 92 hotel rooms and an eclectic lobby full of entertainment, social, meeting and working spaces. Guest or not, anyone will be able to visit the site’s two food and beverage joints. At The Eyrie Rooftop Bar, you can soak in views of downtown before heading down to the Subterranean Jazz & BBQ Dive, a popup jazz and BBQ bar in the basement that will also double as a meeting and event space.

Marriott originally intended to target millennials for its Moxy Hotel locations in other cities—including Paris, Chicago and Nashville. “What Marriott found is that people of any age want to feel good about their surroundings,” O’Reilly says. “Instead of just 20- and 30-year-olds, you get a healthy mix of anyone from 20 to 70 years old.”

While this is his first project in downtown Springfield, his family has deep roots in the district. The first O’Reilly Auto Parts opened its doors in 1957 at what is now the Creamery Arts Center at 411 N. Sherman Parkway. “With its entertainment focus, The Moxy Hotel is really built for the downtown environment,” O’Reilly says. “When I started talking with Marriott about it, they strongly advised that it needed to coexist with other restaurants and entertainment venues. The building was obviously just a perfect fit.”

O’Reilly is excited to add another option for high-end accommodations and live entertainment

downtown. “Downtown has had some challenges with hitting its stride on development and refurbishment of the old buildings, but I think that’s changing,” he says. “Every urban environment has its normal challenges, but I think Springfield does a great job of addressing them. The more upscale properties that we have downtown, the better because that’s going to draw more people, more attention, and more security.”

Factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and temporary issues with Missouri’s state tax credit administration process initially slowed the project down. However, it has since regained momentum. Construction began in late 2021, and has a target completion date of November 2023.

—Tessa Cooper

ON THE HORIZON: THE YMCA BUILDING

The brick and stone building that housed the downtown YMCA for more than a century holds a lot of history. So when it went up for auction in March, 417-landers held their breath. Bidding ensued. When Rollabased Phelps County Bank, which has a track record of preserving historic buildings, submitted the winning bid, there was palpable relief. At press time, the deal wasn’t finalized; if all goes well, it will close in May.

Developer of the Moxy Hotel by Marriott and CEO of O’Reilly Hospitality Management, LLC

Construction on Tim O’Reilly’s much-anticipated Moxy Hotel is targeting completion in November.

Karen and John McQueary (pictured) and co-owner Billy McQueary opened Hotel Vandivort in 2015. “At the time, the things that were opening here were oriented towards young folks, which is great, but we wanted to create something that worked to help ‘grow up’ downtown,” Karen says.

ON THE HORIZON: HISTORY MUSEUM ON THE SQUARE

History Museum on the Square has lots in the works for this summer, with new exhibits including Beyond the Camouflage: Global Uniforms starting May 24 until July 23 as well as adding a variety of new tours. Visitors can now enjoy a Route 66 Bus Tour - Get on the Mother Road with guide David J. Eslick, History Museum on the Square Ambassador and founder of the Route 66 Festival. To explore Springfield’s founding, growth and most notable history they will also be offering walking tours around downtown Springfield and Commercial Street.

A DOWNTOWN STORY OF HOSPITALITY:

JOHN AND KAREN MCQUEARY

Co-Owners of Hotel Vandivort

Downtown entrepreneurship is a tradition that runs five generations deep in the McQueary family.

In 1913, William M. McQueary opened a drugstore on the corner of Madison and John Q. Hammons Parkway, a move that inspired his sons to establish the McQueary Brothers Drug Company in 1924. Fast forward about a century later, and Billy, John and Karen McQueary are keeping the family’s downtown legacy alive as co-owners and founders of Hotel Vandivort.

It was around 2010 when the three realized they wanted to contribute to the renaissance happening in Springfield’s center. “At the time, the things that were opening here were oriented towards young folks, which is great, but we wanted to create something that worked to help ‘grow up’ downtown,” Karen says.

“We approached it from the question of, ‘What’s the missing piece downtown, and what would be the most impactful thing that we could do?’” John says. “The obvious answer was an upscale hotel that could be a cultural and economic spark that would bring people downtown that would not normally be here.”

They found just the right building for the hotel concept in 2012 and began laying the foundation for Hotel Vandivort. Now, the business spans two buildings—the original building at 305 E. Walnut and the newly built V2 at 260 E. McDaniel. Hotel Vandivort draws in visitors and locals alike to its on-site restaurant, The Order; its rooftop bar, Vantage Rooftop Lounge and Conservatory; and 97 guest rooms.

From when Hotel Vandivort was just an idea to a decade later, the McQuearys have seen downtown through many changes. Local boutiques and restaurants have opened and closed, while the number of residential spaces has steadily increased.

While John wants to see these sectors thrive, there’s a different aspect he hopes to see the community prioritize for the next few years. “The thing I’m most excited about is seeing continued growth in professionals working downtown in creative firms,” John says. “I think that should be one of the big focuses going forward with the unknown of the future of retail.”—Tessa Cooper

ON THE HORIZON:

PEDESTRIAN ENGAGEMENT ALLEY

John McQueary, co-owner of Hotel Vandivort, is working with other local downtown businesses to transform the lightly used alley behind Hotel Vandivort and Landers Theatre to an active pedestrian corridor. The goal is a safe and thriving area for pedestrians. To create this, they plan to resurface the street, create a pedestrian throughway at the dead end, replace the fencing along the east end and add low maintenance landscaping. There are also plans for murals and sculptures as well as string lights and signage to complete the new space.

A BIG QUESTION: WHAT IS DOWNTOWN’S BRAND?

What do you think of when you think of downtown? We asked Jeff Houghton of T he Writers’ Room Creative Comedy Agency, Chris Jarratt of Revel Advertising and Rusty Worley of Urban Districts Alliance about its image.

Biz 417: How would you describe downtown?

Jeff Houghton: I’d say downtown tilts more toward nightlife, but there’s certainly people out and about walking around during the day. I’ve been able to see both sides. I like to say I used to work the night shift downtown. I didn’t have kids, and it was more about coming out and doing shows. Now I do the day shift, and at 5 o’clock, I clock out and someone younger than me takes my spot.

Rusty Worley: Our slogan, “It’s all downtown,” has been in use for almost 20 years. There’s no doubt that the slogan is aspiration, but from my perspective, we’re the region’s home for dining, entertainment, education and community events.

Chris Jarratt: The challenge is it’s a lot of things to a lot of people. There’s not a cohesive viewpoint of what downtown is. It has great nightlife; it has great dining; it is a great destination for tourists for arts and cultural events. When you’re everything you can also be nothing.

Biz: What do you love about downtown?

J.H.: One of the things I love about it is it’s this place where all kinds of people go. It’s such a mix and I love that variety of people.

C.J.: The entrepreneurial spirit and collaboration feels unique compared to other cities. So many businesses

BY ETTIE BERNEKING

choose downtown to test new concepts thanks to the efactory, and it’s a big part of the essence of downtown.

R.W.: I think the coffee shop culture and creative culture is a big part of downtown. It’s diverse and inclusive, and you can run into people you know, so there’s a small-town friendliness to it.

Biz: What is downtown missing?

J.H.: I’d like to see more housing. I think it can help create the critical mass that’s needed. There are also plenty of spots where new buildings could go up for offices or apartments… There’s a big footprint we can play with if developers are interested in building.

R.W.: There are still things we want to bring in like grocery stores, and Renew Jordan Creek will create creek-front property that we hope business owners and developers will put property around.

Biz: What do we need to do to compete with other downtowns like Bentonville?

J.H.: Step One: We need endless Walmart money. No honestly, I think critical mass is what will tip it to being a lively place at all hours. If people work down here or more students live downtown or take more classes downtown, that will bring in a mix of people and attract a mix of things to do.

C.J.: From a business standpoint, I think we need to keep letting people know how great of an environment this is to start your business. From an agency owner standpoint, we could do more intentional initiatives to define the districts downtown and highlight the Grant Avenue project and the Jordan Creek project. Those can bring a visual grounding element to downtown that is recognizable like Hotel V.

R.W.: I think placemaking is a big focus for the City. Downtown has 400 businesses and a larger footprint, but we’re working on placemaking. We’re working on more outdoor lights, bringing in more outdoor seating, and continuing to lean in to the quality of place.

Biz: Why should people care about the health of downtown?

C.J.: Twenty years ago when I was graduating college and deciding if this is where I wanted to be, there was a lot of momentum downtown. Seeing that energy was what made me know I wanted to be here. Now, the Jordan Creek and Grant Avenue projects are new signs of continued investment. That’s important to attract and retain younger talent.

R.W.: There are ways for young professionals to get involved and shape the future of their downtown. That’s harder to do in a big city, but here you can really make a difference.

NICK AND JENNY RUSSO

Owner-operators of St. Michael’s Restaurant & Catering

For nearly two decades, St. Michael’s has been dishing out hearty burgers, fresh soups and salads, hot and cold Italian subs, and dense cakes to keep downtowners well fed.

Owners Nick and Jenny Russo say there is nowhere they’d rather set up shop other than their post at the corner of South Avenue and East McDaniel Street. Barb Baker with the Urban Districts Alliance approached the couple about opening a restaurant downtown when the space became available, and they’ve been here ever since.

“Downtown has so much personality,” Jenny says. “We tried [running a restaurant] in a strip shopping center 20 years ago, and it just wasn’t the same. Here, we get professors, we get students, and we get professionals. We have so many regulars that just walk here.”

Jenny works full-time at St. Michael’s as the head chef and baker while also overseeing the front- and back-of-house operations. Nick has owned and operated seven other restaurants in Springfield, but St. Michael’s is now his one and only. He spends his mornings readying the restaurant to open and managing the books before heading to work at Springfield Catholic High School, where he teaches English.

“Despite my 50 years in the industry in Spring-

field, this is Jenny’s restaurant,” Nick says. “What success we have experienced is all attributed to Jenny’s ability to manage employees, attract and keep customers and dedicate herself to creating a unique and meaningful experience for our patrons.” Multiple revenue streams also help the daytime restaurant stay profitable. St. Michael’s offers a pasta-forward menu exclusively for catered events and maintains a small wholesale cake operation for businesses like Derby Deli and Price Cutter.

Both Jenny and Nick say they feel supported by the Downtown Springfield Association and the City of Springfield. For example, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, these organizations’ efforts allowed St. Michael’s to extend their outdoor seating area. Over time, the couple has seen downtown through many changes. “One thing I’d like to see is for more retail to come back again,” Jenny says.

“You feel bad when people’s dreams fail,” Nick says. “Although there are a lot of places that left, there are a number of places that have stayed. The staying power I attribute to knowing how to manage your business during the ebb and flow of the good times and the not-so-good.”

—Tessa Cooper

BRAD ERWIN

President of Paragon Architecture

Paragon Architecture’s Springfield office relocated from the intersection of Glenstone and Cherry just three years ago, but it’s already a landmark for the revitalization of downtown’s west side. “There’s just something unique and special about downtown Springfield,” says Brad Erwin, president of Paragon Architecture. “From an everyday quality-of-life perspective, it’s just a little bit better than being in a random nondescript building on a busy corridor. Here, you get to be a part of a community of collective businesses and residences. The lure for us on this west side is that we have the benefit of planting the flag and being a part of the growth and redevelopment.”

The architecture firm specializes in designing commercial buildings and has additional offices in Joplin and St. Louis. As far as the Springfield location goes, downtown offers convenience. The

A DOWNTOWN STORY FROM AN EMPLOYER:

Brad Erwin moved Paragon Architecture’s offices downtown three years ago. “The lure for us on this west side is that we have the benefit of planting the flag and being a part of the growth and redevelopment,” he says.

Jenny and Nick Russo have owned St. Michael’s for 19 years. Nick tells us, “The staying power I attribute to knowing how to manage your business during the ebb and flow of the good times and the not-so-good times.”

architecture firm takes on several projects across Missouri; Erwin says having easy access to the interstate via Chestnut Expressway while still being within walking distance from the square has been a perk.

Paragon began operating from its downtown location just a few weeks before Springfield’s temporary stay-at-home order was in place. “Prepandemic, we were two blocks away from three breweries, from three coffee shops and numerous restaurants,” Erwin says. “Post-pandemic, it is a little different right now. Unfortunately, there have been some restaurants and bars that have closed. I think we’re just against a wall right now and looking for that upswing of what’s next and building back up.”

Regarding solutions for some of the challenges downtown faces, Erwin believes giving people a specific purpose for being downtown is key. “The more we can get people working and living downtown, the better it is for our community as a whole,” he says. “The more activity you have, the safer it becomes and the more people feel comfortable to come downtown. Foot traffic will drive more commerce and more economic development.”—Tessa Cooper

A BIG QUESTION: WHAT ABOUT PARKING?

We asked restaurateur David Bauer and Benjamin Sapp, partner in Sapp Design Architects, whether parking has influenced their business decisions about downtown.

BY LUCIE AMBERG

Biz 417: Has parking affected your decisions about opening or moving your business downtown?

Benjamin Sapp: We’ve looked at a couple of buildings. Ultimately, [the obstacle has] been proximity and consistency of parking. If you’re going to have a business with professionals there every day, you don’t want them going on a daily scavenger hunt for parking.

David Bauer: One of the reasons I purchased the Harbell’s building is because I have a parking garage behind me and I have a parking lot next to me. At Mille’s [Café], I had a parking lot attached to my building that I paid to be able to operate myself… That’s a very big deal.

Biz: It sounds like parking has the potential to be a deciding factor when people are evaluating downtown locations.

B.S.: I’ve never had a terrible experience with event parking. But if you’re buying a building or leasing, it’s definitely going to be one of your top questions.

Biz: Which sections of downtown do you think have the biggest parking issues?

B.S.: Think about the Newberry building on the Square. It’s one of the only ones that hasn’t been developed. It’s 42,000 square feet. Regardless of what goes in that structure, parking will undoubtedly be a significant constraint to the redevelopment of it.

D.B.: Everything I do in business, if something’s going wrong, I always go right back to the center. I go back to the core and work my way out... That’s what should happen downtown... If there’s empty buildings on the Square, there’s a reason,

so you’ve got to find the reason.

Biz: There’s public parking within a few blocks of Park Central Square, and there’s some nearby street parking. What additional options do you believe are needed?

D.B.: The design of the Square, it needs to be parking. When they want to do an event downtown, they can just close [the parking] off. They can design it so it still has the drive around the Square, but have some space as parking. Give those core people that are trying to keep that place going an opportunity.

Biz: So you think that there should be parking spaces in the Square itself?

D.B.: It will cause people to drive into the downtown area, looking for a parking spot. So that means more traffic, more visibility for people to see the businesses around there... You could make a smaller roundabout in the middle, and then still give people the patios [outside businesses overlooking Park Central Square] because those are great spots.

Biz: Do you consider parking a longterm, strategic issue for downtown?

B.S.: Right now, it’s probably a true statement that there’s plenty of free parking during the day. But if you’re looking at the long term and investing, you want to make sure you have a plan for future growth around you.

Biz: Do you think access to parking is connected to people’s sense of security?

D.B.: It all starts with security. If you can’t have people feel like they can be safe downtown, they’re not going to come downtown.

A DOWNTOWN STORY OF ARTS AND CULTURE:

GEOFF STEELE AND JOY BILYEU-STEELE

Executive Director and Associate Director of the Gillioz Center for Arts & Entertainment

The majority of downtown Springfield buildings have lived many lives. But in 1926, the Gillioz opened as a theatre, and today, a theatre it remains.

Keeping this nearly century-old arts center in operation hasn’t always been an easy feat. In 1980, the theatre closed, only to reopen in 2006 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Costly restoration work, coupled with the 2008 recession, drove the organization into bankruptcy. At the time, board member Bill Dunton approached Robert Low, founder and president of Prime Inc., and asked him to purchase the building from the bank. Low stepped in, the Gillioz stayed open, and he eventually gifted the building back to the nonprofit in 2015.

The Gillioz generates income through live performances, resident artistic companies and by leasing a portion of the first floor to Dublin’s Pass Irish Pub.

Geoff Steele and Joy Bilyeu-Steele have led the Gillioz since 2014. Steele has decades of experience in the recording and venue management industries. When the board began approaching Steele about the position, Bilyeu-Steele was immediately on board and also wanted to play a role

DISCUSSION POINTS

As we reported this story, we heard a fascinating mix of opinions, which we hope will spark real conversation about the future of downtown. These are just a few of the ideas that stuck with us.

BY LUCIE AMBERG

“The more upscale properties... downtown, the better, because that’s going to draw more people, more attention and more security.”

—TIM O’REILLY ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND SECURITY (P. 49)

“There’s not a cohesive viewpoint of what downtown is. It has great nightlife; it has great dining; it is a great destination for tourists for arts and cultural events. When you’re everything, you can also be nothing.”

—CHRIS JARRATT ON DOWNTOWN’S BRAND (P. 51)

in the revival. At the time, she had recently retired from her family’s popular Branson show, the Baldknobbers.

“When Geoff brought the idea to me, I really felt like it was a gift,” Bilyeu-Steele says. “One chapter I had closed on a theater that I had grown up with, but I felt like I was being given another theater to love and care for and keep going for generations to come. So once we signed the papers and everything, he brought me up on the stage and I cried.”

Steele has loved seeing downtown succeed in recent years. Prior to working at the Gillioz, he produced projects in a recording studio downtown when many buildings sat empty. “I remember at one point during a break in recording, we had walked by this theater, and it was completely shuttered and abandoned,” Steele says. “Downtown as a whole wasn’t thriving. Now, it has absolutely evolved.”

The couple believes there is positive energy in downtown’s creative arts community right now, and the district will continue flourishing in the coming years.

—Tessa Cooper

“We put two full squads of officers downtown almost 24 hours a day. That’s about 20 people who work just the entertainment district.”

—CHIEF PAUL WILLIAMS ON POLICE PRESENCE DOWNTOWN (P. 48)

“Right now, it’s probably a true statement that there’s plenty of free parking during the day. But if you’re looking at the long term and investing, you want to make sure you have a plan for future growth around you.”

—BENJAMIN SAPP ON THE STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF PARKING (P. 53)

One more thing: The issue of homelessness was often in the background—and sometimes the foreground—of interviews we conducted for this story. We reached out to the City of Springfield multiple times to request an interview on this topic. The City didn’t supply a source before press time, but we’re hopeful that we’ll get to speak to someone about it. There are many people of good will working on this complex issue. If one of them talks to us, we’ll report it at Biz417.com.

Husband and wife Joy Bilyeu-Steele and Geoff Steele have led the Gillioz since 2014.

Dr. Hal Higdon, Anthony Tolliver, Tom Douglas, Amanda Holmes and Doug Pitt were part of Biz 417’s “Advice and Whiskey “ panel at Think Summit. (See more on p. 60.)

Springfield's Best has been supporting local businesses since 1994. Our membership includes a variety of the most well respected and established businesses in southwest Missouri that are known for their community involvement and trustworthiness.

Springfield's Best encourages the consumer public to conduct business with these reputable, locally owned or managed companies that operate with honesty, integrity and ethical behavior, and to support the Springfield community by keeping their dollars in the Springfield economy.

Learn more about these local reputable businesses at springfieldsbest.com/directory.htm

 8:30–10:30 a.m., Wednesdays

1 MILLION CUPS

Hear about local entrepreneurs who are growing businesses and ideas at this weekly presentation.

Bambino’s Community Space, 2810 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Visit 1mcsgf. com for more information.

 9–10 a.m., every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month

SCORE MEETUPS

Free networking events hosted by SCORE Southwest MO. Locations vary. Email Justyn Pippins (Justyn.Pippins@ScoreVolunteer.org) or John Sample (John.Sample@ScoreVolunteer.org) for more info.

 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Tuesday, May 2

HIGH PERFORMANCE SUPERVISION

This seminar educates newly appointed supervisors or experienced supervisors on the roles and fundamentals. Learn to harness the skills of a supervisor through case studies, exercises, and applications. Visit SBDC.MissouriState.edu/Training for tickets and information.

 7:30–8:30 a.m., Friday, May 5 and June 2

FIRST FRIDAY COFFEE

Enjoy coffee and pastries in an informal networking atmosphere to meet, mingle and make contacts with other Ozark Chamber of Commerce members. Drop in for a few minutes or stay for the whole hour. Event locations will be announced. Free for Chamber members. Visit OzarkChamber.com for more information.

 12–1:30 p.m., Wednesday May 9

BLACK ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN SPRINGFIELD: LUNCH AND LEARN SCORE, the Springfield-Greene County Library District and the efactory are hosting a panel discussion with Rachel Dami Odunewu, Reggie Harris, Samuel Knox and Samuel Timmerman.

Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library Community Room, 2214 S. Brentwood Blvd. Contact 417-883-1974 or katyp@thelibrary. or g for more information.

 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Tuesday, May 9 and June 13

NIXA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCHEON

Call it what you will: Membership Luncheon, Chamber Luncheon, Chamber SHOW, Membership Meeting. Just eXpect some eXcessive networking and eXciting chamber and community information that affects you and your business! $20 for members, $25 for non-members. River of Life Church, 308 W. Mt. Vernon, Nixa. Visit NixaChamber.com.

 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Tuesday, May 10 EXCELLING

AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONAL

As expectations and job responsibilities rise, the need for a strong foundation and principles in the workplace is at an all time high. During this seminar, learn ways to improve and use your skills as an administrative professional, resulting in better relationships and numbers, but less stress. Visit SBDC.MissouriState.edu/Training for tickets and information.

 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Wednesday May 10 SMALL BUSINESS

AWARD 2023

Celebrate small businesses and their impact on the local economy. This annual event congratulates the top finalist in the W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award competition and reveals the 2023 award winner. This event takes place at the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center. Visit SpringfieldChamber.com or call 417862-5567 for more information.

 7:30–8:30 a.m., Thursday, May 11 and June 1

GOOD MORNING, SPRINGFIELD!

Start your day with a networking breakfast at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s monthly breakfast event. The May event is at the DoubleTree by Hilton. The June event is at Evangel University. $30 for members, $40 for non-members. Visit SpringfieldChamber.com or call 417-8625567 for more information.

 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Tuesday, May 16 and June 20

WORKING WOMEN IN NIXA LUNCHEON

Working Women in Nixa is a monthly powerful networking event geared to Nixa’s businesswomen and is held at the Main Event Center in Downtown Nixa. Each session is focused on empowering, inspiring and connecting women in the community. $20 for members, $25 for non-members. Visit NixaChamber.com for tickets and info.

 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Wednesday May 17

2023 SBDC HEALTHCARE OUTLOOK

Get ready for the 2023 Health Care Outlook, featuring an inside look at this economic driver in the Springfield region through the lens of major industry employers. Join us as we hear from the new leaders of Springfield’s two largest healthcare systems: David Argueta, president of Mercy Hospitals Springfield, and Max Buetow, president and CEO of CoxHealth. Visit SpringfieldChamber.com or call 417862-5567 for more information.

 4–6 p.m., Thursday, May 18 and June 8

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Join fellow business professionals at one of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s most popular events hosted in a new location each month. Visit SpringfieldChamber.com or call 417-862-5567 for registration and more information.

 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Thursday, May 25 and June 22

EXPERIENCE OZARK–MONTHLY NETWORKING LUNCHEON

Members and guests are invited to network, get caught up on upcoming events and hear from fellow Ozark Chamber of Commerce members about issues in our businesses and community.

$17 f or members, $20 for non-members. Ozark Community Center (The OC), 1530 W. Jackson, Ozark. Visit OzarkChamber.com for more information.

Biz 417’s Think Summit

Think Summit, presented by JMARK, showcased local leadership, with plenty of straight talk and inspiration.

Date: April 5 | Host Organization: Biz 417 | Location: Hammons Hall | Sponsors: BUF Studio, Commerce Bank, Great Game of Business, Grooms Office Environments, Hy-Vee, JMARK, Juanita K. Hammons Hall, Mediacom Business, Southwest Audio-Visual

THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS WHO MADE 417-LAND’S THINK SUMMIT SO

Dami Odunewu and Johnny McNeil

Lucie Amberg, Doug Pitt and Logan Aguirre

Amanda Holmes on stage at Think Summit

PHOTOS BY ACACIA BOERBOOM, LEAH STIEFERMANN

Kirk Elmquist on stage at Think Summit

Mary & Mike Kromrey, Justin Coyan, Anthony Tolliver, Michelle Billionis

Anna O’Dell and Kelly De Witt

Michelle & David Cameron in the 360 photo booth

Brett Payne speaking with JMARK CEO Thomas Douglas

Julie Swift on stage at Think Summit

Madison Foster, Catelyn Langford, Taylor McCain

Mark Hecquet on stage at Think Summit

Hal Higdon and Max Buetow

Rosie’s 100 Wise Women

Women community leaders gathered at Relics Event Center to discuss important topics centered around professional development, leadership and empowerment in Springfield.

Date: March 30 | Host: Leadership Springfield, Rosie | Location: Relics Event Center | Website: leadershipspringfield.org

Sponsors: Foundation Credit Union, Baron Design & Associates, Beautycounter, Caitlin Kissee, City Utilities, Hall Ansley, P.C., Mercy

Dr Regina Walters, Alexis Brown

Alyea Alldredge, Jennifer Murray

Regina Greer Cooper, Cindy Stephens

Callie Carroll, Stephanie Anderson, Alia Lee

Mar’Ellen Felin, Maggie Castrey, Dori Grinder

PHOTOS BY KRISTIN KNAPTON

4C Sertoma Whiskey Festival

The 4C Sertoma Whiskey Festival, which supported 4C Sertoma, included amazing food, top-tier whiskey and enriching conversations among local distillers.

Date: March 4 | Host Organization: 4C Sertoma | Location: Finley Farms | Website: 4csertoma.com

Sponsors: 417 Magazine, Arvest, Big Whiskey’s, Bigpxl, M&G Signs, Mid-Missouri Bank, Whiskey Tangos

Jennifer & Shawn Burks

Eric Johnson, Cynthia Johnson, Dan Brewer

Jason & Liz Massengale, Brian Steele

Nicolas & Angela Franklin

Angie & Brandon Adamick

DOWNTIME

Fun on the Fly

Erin Danastasio, executive director of Hatch Foundation, makes a tradition of spending her downtime fly fishing with her father, Kurt Hellweg. Their tradition started at her grandfather’s house on Lake Taneycomo and has continued with trips to Montana together. “When you’re fly fishing, it’s just you and the water, you and the fish, you and the surroundings,” Danastasio says. She says she enjoys the balance between the peaceful rhythm of fly fishing and the excitement of catching a fish. Now that her children are old enough, they also enjoy partaking in the hobby together. “It’s a special bonding experience for multi-generations and something everyone can do,” she says.—Jo Jolliff