Open for Business: Big Al's Crab Shack

Big Al’s Crab Shack
The owner of a pair of sandwich shops in Christian County launched seafood eatery Big Al’s Crab Shack on April 15. Allan Willoughby said startup costs were around $30,000 for his new restaurant at 502 N. Third St. in Ozark. He declined to disclose his one-year lease rate with landlord Kyle Estes. The 1,100-square-foot shop fills space formerly occupied by Purple Burrito, which shut down, Willoughby said, adding Estes did some remodeling on the building last year. Willoughby said the seafood concept, which features snow crabs, shrimp and lobster tails on the menu, has been in the works for years. Combination platter prices range $15-$29, he said. Big Al’s Crab Shack is less than a half-mile from Willoughby’s other Ozark establishment, Big Al’s Subs at 206 N. First St. He opened it in 2019, four years after starting the original sub shop in Nixa. The opening for Big Al’s Crab Shack is the second attempt for the restaurant in as many years, he said. The coronavirus pandemic altered the original plan to open last April in Nixa.
Hours: 4:30-8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday
Phone: 417-551-4404

Writers’ Room
Springfield entertainer Jeff Houghton debuted the Writers’ Room marketing agency March 3 with comedy as its focus. Houghton, the host of “The Mystery Hour” late-night talk show, signed a one-year lease for an undisclosed rate in the Holland building at 205 Park Central East, Ste. 313. Houghton said the creative comedy agency had been in the works for a few years. While Houghton is the sole employee, he subcontracts for video work with his team at “The Mystery Hour.” Houghton said he envisions Writers’ Room producing a mix of projects that draw on the comedic talent of him and his team, along with new actors and client staff members incorporated. A video for Command Family Medicine PC is among those currently in the works, he said. As with bits for “The Mystery Hour,” Houghton is contracting with local video production companies, such as Blend Studio and Locke and Stache Media LLC.
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Phone: 417-838-6561
Web: WritersRoom.co

Branstetter & Lightfoot
Law firm Branstetter & Lightfoot LLC opened Jan. 1 at 215 W. Chestnut St. in Bolivar. The new firm owned by attorneys Billie Branstetter and Jessica Lightfoot is the result of a merger between their solo practices, said spokesperson Caleb Coop. He declined to disclose merger details, startup costs or lease terms with Excel Investments LP. Practice areas include family and juvenile law, criminal defense, civil litigation and estate planning. Lightfoot initially opened her Bolivar practice in 2013, while Branstetter started practicing a year earlier in Kansas City. Branstetter added a Bolivar office in 2015, Coop said. Branstetter & Lightfoot also operates a Kansas City office in the Livestock Exchange building at 1600 Genessee St., Ste. 850. The six-employee, 2,500-square-foot Bolivar office is considered the firm’s headquarters, he said, noting both attorneys were raised in Polk County.
Hours: 9 a.m-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m.-noon Friday
Phone: 417-326-8734