Open for Business: The Creative Foundry

The Creative Foundry
Jim Michels moved The Creative Foundry co-working space July 1 to 221 South Ave. from 325 W. McDaniel St., where the New York transplant started the concept two years ago. In about 3,000 square feet leased from Craig Wagoner for undisclosed terms, the shared office has a traditional conference room, an idea lab with white boards and an audio/video project room under development. Equipped with some 60 Ethernet ports, SpringNet fiber and Wi-Fi, Michels said The Creative Foundry is designed to offer members resources, equipment and social opportunities while working independently. Membership levels range from $40 to $250 per month, he said, and nonmembers can rent meeting rooms for hourly rates starting at $15. Michels said there are 14 members – from programmers and Web developers to a McGraw-Hill salesperson and a Wikipedia executive. The space has capacity for 40, he said. Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 24/7 for members. Phone: (417) 812-5066. Web: TheCreativeFoundry.org

Cantina Laredo
The first Springfield Cantina Laredo opened for business Sept. 17 after franchisee Steve Heil remodeled the former Springfield Pasta Co. at 4109 S. National Ave. Heil closed the Italian concept in January and under CL Springfield LLC bought into the Dallas-based Mexican food chain for $50,000, plus 5 percent royalties. A $2.5 million construction project this year included the addition of three banquet rooms and two patio spaces to bring the building to 8,700 square feet. Heil hired former Tower Club General Manager Jeff Anderson to lead the roughly 150-employee restaurant, which is modeled after the closest Cantina Laredo franchise at Branson Landing. The menu includes table-side guacamole and hand-rolled enchiladas. Cantina Laredo’s parent company, Consolidated Restaurant Companies Inc., operates more than 90 restaurants and 24 franchise restaurants, including Black Oak Grill in Branson and the III Forks, Good Eats and El Chico brands. Hours: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Phone: (417) 881-7200. Web: CantinaLaredo.com/location/springfield

Children’s Smile Center
Ozark-based Children’s Smile Center on July 30 opened a dental clinic in Aurora, its third in the region serving low-income families in Lawrence, Barry, Stone and Christian counties. At 3 E. Church St. in Aurora, Drs. Tom Hoff and Krissy Oliver provide preventative and primary dental care to Medicaid-eligible children. In its first month, Children’s Smile Center officials said the clinic provided 542 dental visits. Through the state Department of Social Services’ HealthNet system, an estimated 5,500 children in Lawrence and northern Barry counties are eligible to receive free dental care. Children’s Smile Center also operates clinics in Ozark and Branson West. Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Phone: (417) 678-1174. Web: ChildrensSmileCenter.org

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