Open for Business: Bits of Britain Cafe LLC

SBJ photo by Wes Hamilton

Karl Gaillard and John Twomey, Bits of Britain Cafe LLC

Bits of Britain Cafe LLC
Making his first foray into the restaurant industry at 52 years old, British-born John Twomey on April 25 opened Bits of Britain Cafe LLC at 410 Boonville Ave. The cafe in the former home of Heroes Coffee Co., which vacated the space last year, offers coffee, tea, soups, sandwiches and pastries – many with a British flair, including pasties, sausage rolls and sticky toffee pudding. Twomey, who co-owns the cafe with girlfriend Stephanie Madura, said most items are priced under $10, with sandwiches $4-$8 and drinks and desserts $4-$5. Behind the cafe’s storefront, there’s some 3,000 square feet with 99-seat capacity and a stage for live music and other entertainment acts, Twomey said. The startup costs of $60,000-$70,000 included labor, materials and furnishings, and Twomey said it was financed through a home equity loan through Freedom Mortgage. He credited Joe Bridges as key to the design and construction. The building is leased on a monthly basis from Nick Sibley for $1,500 per month, he said.
Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; evening hours for special events
Phone: (417) 501-1401

Show Me SUP LLC
T.J. Holman on April 26 started Show Me SUP LLC, a mobile stand-up paddleboard rental company. Operated out of his Springfield home with his wife and co-owner Nicole, the company offers paddleboard rentals, lessons and tours at designated meeting places along the James and Finley rivers. Startup costs of $8,000 were personally financed, Holman said. Previously working in a Budget Blinds window treatment franchise in Springfield, Holman said personal struggles after the sudden death of his mother led to him finding a new recreation and, eventually, professional path forward. After finishing the Missouri River 340 race on a paddleboard last year, Holman said, “It literally changed my whole idea of what I wanted to do with my life.” He and his wife are currently the sole employees of the new business, renting inflatable paddleboards up to seven days. Rates, including a lesson, are $35 for the minimum three-hour rental, $50 for six hours and $200 for the full week. Bookings are accepted online. 
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Phone: (417) 521-4421
Web: ShowMeSUP.com

Travellers House Coffee & Tea
Travellers House Coffee & Tea opened a bistro location March 18 inside Birch Pointe Health and Rehabilitation, 3705 S. Jefferson Ave. Greg Venturella, who co-owns the coffee business with wife Cherie, called the cafe “a Travellers House light,” as it is about 700 square feet smaller than the original coffeehouse, which opened in 2016 at 2151 W. Republic Road. “It’s been working out great,” he said of the operating relationship with Birch Pointe, declining to disclose startup costs and terms of the licensing agreement. Although soups aren’t offered at the Birch Pointe location, Venturella said all the shop’s regular coffee and tea drinks, along with sandwiches and breakfast items, are available to the public. Prices range $2-$5 for drinks, and $4-$8 for most food options. Two employees staff the Travellers House bistro, with seating for 25-30 people in addition to a private meeting room. Venturella said he has plans to open a second full Travellers House in August at the Boomer Town student housing complex underway at 824 S. National Ave., near Missouri State University.
Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday
Phone: (417) 720-4640
Web: TravellersHouseCoffee.com