Open for Business: Advertising Plus

Advertising Plus
Advertising Plus acquired Yates Promotions in a Feb. 10 deal involving the two Springfield promotional products firms. Advertising Plus President Marc Kiser declined to disclose financial terms of the transaction, noting his company had long been interested in expanding its operations in the Ozarks. Linda Yates and four other members of the Yates Promotions sales team have joined Advertising Plus, bringing the company’s workforce up to 17 employees. Kiser said the staff all work out of Advertising Plus’ 12,000-square-foot office at 2130 W. Vista St. Advertising Plus, which offers promotional products and online corporate program services, was established in 1989, five years after Yates Promotions got its start. Yates Promotions’ specialty is in developing and implementing marketing programs and promotions for corporate clients.
Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Phone: 417-889-1200
Web: Advertising-Plus.com

Scooter’s Coffee
The third Scooter’s Coffee franchise store in the Springfield area opened Dec. 31 in Nixa at 604 W. Mount Vernon St. Co-owner Mary Rolf, a Nixa resident, said she wanted to bring Scooter’s to her city after opening two locations of the Omaha, Nebraska-based coffee company in Springfield: 3265 E. Sunshine St. and 2900 S. Campbell Ave. She and ex-husband John Rolf are partners in the stores developed through JMBSR Enterprises LLC. Aside from the $40,000 Scooter’s Coffee franchise fee, she declined to disclose startup costs for the 22-employee Nixa store. Newberg-based TCI Construction LLC was general contractor for the 629-square-foot drive-thru shop designed by architecture firm Hood-Rich Inc. Scooter’s menu includes hot and iced coffee drinks, smoothies, teas, breakfast burritos, sandwiches, muffins and cookies. Mary Rolf said they want to open at least one more shop, potentially in southwest Springfield, although no plans are currently in motion.
Hours: 5:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
Phone: 417-374-7042
Web: ScootersCoffee.com

The Hive
Roughly a year after organizers of a Willard cafe set a launch date, The Hive opened March 5 at 501 E. Jackson St., Ste. E. Melissa Skaggs, director of 501(c)(3) Hive of the Ozarks, which operates the eatery, said the concept aims to serve as a community hub and career launch pad for people with developmental disabilities. She said those with disabilities make up nearly half of the cafe’s 17-employee workforce. Startup costs for the 1,800-square-foot cafe were around $20,000, Skaggs said, declining to disclose the five-year lease rate with Neal Wood. She said Wood also provided architecture services for the cafe. Hive of the Ozarks has raised roughly $15,000 for the cafe from local donors, she said, adding the nonprofit’s fundraising efforts include selling branded merchandise. Sandwiches, such as a Tuscan turkey melt and roast beef, are served, as well as pastries, salads and soups, including chicken tortilla. Drinks include smoothies, teas and coffee. Most prices range $2-$11.
Hours: 6:45 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Phone: 417-346-6890
Web: HiveOfTheOzarks.com