Open for Business: Bedpost Books

Bedpost Books
A recently revived interest in reading led Republic resident Caitlyn Lohkamp on Aug. 2 to open Bedpost Books in her hometown. The book boutique is at 738 E. Hines St. in a shopping center directly behind Mid-Missouri Bank. The 900-square-foot shop’s book selection is focused on the romance genre, which Lohkamp said also includes several subgenres, such as young adult, fantasy and dark romance. While declining to disclose startup costs, Lohkamp, who currently is the lone employee, said she signed a one-year lease for $1,800 per month with landlord Lee Roberts. The shop also sells clothing, book accessories, including bookmarks, and stickers, coloring books, book review journals and pens. Bedpost Books marks a professional pivot for Lohkamp, who became a first-time business owner after working the past four years in property management with Wilhoit Properties Inc. La Vergne, Tennessee-based Ingram Content Group LLC supplies books for the shop, although Lohkamp said she plans to expand her book distributor list.
Email: bedpostbooks@gmail.com
Web: Bedpost-Books.square.site

Clear Choice Power Wash
After a couple years living in Oklahoma, Ernie Blitch recently returned to the Ozarks, where he launched mobile business Clear Choice Power Wash LLC on May 26. The Republic resident said startup costs were roughly $15,000 for his power washing venture, which provides cleaning services for houses, gutters, fences, driveways, windows, decks and garbage cans. Power washing prices for gutters begin at $200, while the cost for cleaning the exterior of houses starts at $250. Blitch said a discounted rate between 5%-20% is offered for customers bundling two or more services. While currently the lone employee, he is aiming to hire at least one worker next year. Past employment experience for Blitch includes 13 years as an occupational therapy assistant before transitioning into the retail industry, for which he worked as a warehouse manager the past few years for Texas-based House of Outdoors.
Phone: 417-351-8251
Web: ClearChoicePowerWash.com

Vixen’s Brew
Sept. 15 was the grand opening for Vixen’s Brew LLC, a mobile coffee trailer in which baristas wear bikinis while serving handcrafted drinks. Kelsey Schoen and her fiance, Chris Cliffe, co-own the five-employee venture, which serves coffee, espresso, matcha, chai, lemonade and Red Bull drinks, plus a variety of sugar-free options. Prices range $3-$8. Schoen said startup costs were around $45,000 and added she is seeking a permanent spot but currently plans to move the trailer to various locations and community events in the Springfield area. Schoen said the bikini baristas concept is common on the West Coast, and she thought it was worth pursuing in the Queen City. Male baristas also may be hired in the future, she said, noting they would be allowed to wear either a shirt with the company logo on it and whatever bottoms they’d prefer or bottoms and no shirt. Schoen said Vixen Brew’s coffee beans are sourced locally from Battlefield-based Copper Canyon Coffee Roasters.
Phone: 417-248-1283
Web: VixensBrew.com