Open for Business

Ridge Runner Sports opened a second store Sept. 2 at 431 S. Jefferson Ave., Ste. 107, in Wilhoit Plaza. Owner Mary Goss-Crowson also operates a shop for running, walking and swimming enthusiasts at 3057 S. Fremont Ave. in Fremont Center. The 26-year-old specialty store carries such brands as Brooks, New Balance, Asics, Saucony, Mizuno and Merrell, which Goss-Crowson said is entering the road-running market this fall. The new store will cater to YMCA patrons, loft dwellers and downtown professionals, said Goss-Crowson, who signed a three-year lease with Matt Miller Co. for the 1,000-square-foot space. “Most technical running stores in a downtown setting are very small,” she said. “That’s just the way I want it – very cozy, very urban.” Hours: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Phone: TBD.

Vendor’s Mart

Tim and Debra Wilson purchased Cardin’s Insurance Salvage, 1933 N. Glenstone Ave., on March 1 and renamed it Vendor’s Mart Antique Mall & Flea Market. After acquiring the business for an undisclosed price from Josh Cardin, the Wilsons changed the focus to a flea market and have 300 vendors on board. The refurbished building – including new lighting, dock doors, an electrical board and air conditioning – could hold 450 booths, which start at $1 per square foot to rent, Debra Wilson said. The typical size is 50 square feet, and vendors sell and buy collectibles, décor, antiques, coins and furniture, she said. Wilson is a former commercial insurance agent, most recently with Naught-Naught Agency in Springfield, and her husband is owner and founder of Town & Country Propane in Nixa. Vendor’s Mart employs 10. Hours: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday. Phone: (417) 865-3967.

Padgett Business Services

Jason Jordan opened a Padgett Business Services franchise office July 21. The national franchise model offers accounting and tax services for small-to-midsize businesses. Jordan is working out of his home and intends to lease office space by Jan. 1. Prior to launching Padgett Business Services, Jordan worked as an accountant, auditor and accounting manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in several markets. Padgett Business Services charges franchisees a $27,500 license fee, plus a $15,000 training fee and monthly royalties between 4.5 percent and 9 percent. The Athens, Ga.-based company has 400 franchise locations serving more than 25,000 small businesses. The model was founded in 1966 by Walter Padgett. “He saw the niche in small business … to streamline the back-end process to help them run their business,” Jordan said. Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: (417) 881-1876.

Compiled by Eric Olson. Springfield Business Journal brings you new businesses each week. Send business info by fax to (417) 799-0603 or by e-mail to sbj@sbj.net.[[In-content Ad]]