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Brock Barton, Newk’s Eatery
Brock Barton, Newk’s Eatery

Open for Business: Newk’s Eatery

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Newk’s Eatery
Newk’s Eatery opened its second Springfield restaurant March 27. Franchisee Dan Garrett of Danco LLC invested $2.5 million to build at 220 W. Battlefield Road, where crews demolished the former Balboa Bed Co. to make way for the restaurant. After working with his father operating McAlister’s Deli franchises, Garrett opened his first Newk’s restaurant in 2010 and entered the Springfield market two years later at 2639 S. Glenstone Ave. The latest Newk’s comprises 4,500 square feet and seats 172 people, including room for 30 on the patio. It employs 77 people, led by Operations Manager Brock Barton and on-site Manager Gina Grissom, and has an average meal price of $10. Danco also operates Newk’s franchise stores in Memphis, Tennessee, and Southaven, Mississippi.
Hours: 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
Phone: (417) 881-6395
Web: Newks.com

First Choice Insurance Agency
Poplar Bluff-based First Choice Insurance Agency opened a Springfield office Jan. 3 at 2760 S. Kansas Expressway, inside The Bank of Missouri. Vice President of Employee Benefits Steve Baratta currently is the lone Springfield employee, and he’s operating out of 1,300 square feet. First Choice Insurance and Bank of Missouri are owned by the same holding company, Reliable Community Bancshares Inc. Offering a full suite of insurance products, Baratta mostly deals with group health, property and casualty, and personal lines, such as home and auto insurance. The Springfield office is one of five in Missouri for First Choice Insurance. The firm was founded in December 1989 by Steve Phillips, who built it from the ground up while working as a welder on Corvette mufflers in Dexter. Steve and his wife, Nikki, now run the company full time.
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment
Phone: (417) 569-1345
Web: FCINS.net

Downtown Springfield Association
Downtown Springfield Association relocated March 1 to 134 Park Central Square, Ste. 120, inside the Woolworth building. DSA Executive Director Rusty Worley said the downtown advocacy organization signed a three-year lease for undisclosed terms with building owner Scott Tillman for 1,700 square feet on the north side facing Park Central West. DSA vacated 2,400 square feet of nearby space at 304 W. McDaniel St., where the organization was flanked by the recently closed Brick Slice House and Muertos Cantina. Now operating in the former DSA space on McDaniel is the Downtown Springfield Community Improvement District led by Barb Baker. While the new DSA space has less square footage, Worley said it gives employees more room for committee and board meetings. With plans for six workers, DSA just added Lillian Stone as communications manager and Bethany Bell as events manager. Organized in 1997, the DSA previously operated as Urban Districts Alliance Inc.
Hours: 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Phone: (417) 831-6200
Web: ItsAllDowntown.com

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