Open for Business: Children’s Smile Center

Children’s Smile Center
Dental clinic Children’s Smile Center began seeing patients in its newly built 7,336-square-foot Nixa location on Jan. 22, according to officials. The 20-year-old venture moved to 112 S. Ridgecrest Ave. from 601 N. 21st St. in Ozark and held a May 11 grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Jackie Barger, executive director, said the move will allow the agency to serve 30%-40% more patients, for a capacity of about 10,000 children per year. Officials declined to disclose the cost of the project, which had Snyder Construction Group LLC as general contractor and Arkifex Studios LLC as architect. The nonprofit serves children in Barry, Christian, Dade, Lawrence, Stone and Taney counties. Its new headquarters offers nine exam chairs and a community-centered meeting space, along with offices for the organization. The nonprofit, which has 42 employees, has an annual operating budget of roughly $4 million, said Sandy Thompson, community relations director. In addition to Nixa, Children’s Smile Center has clinics in Aurora and Branson West.
Phone: 417-582-5439
Web: SmileCenterMo.org

Whole Heart Chiropractic
With 16 years of experience as a chiropractor, Jenny Talbert became a first-time business owner with the April 15 opening of Whole Heart Chiropractic LLC. Talbert said she rents a roughly 200-square-foot treatment room and shares a reception area for undisclosed terms inside Sage Studio Yoga and Wellness LLC at 5133 S. Campbell Ave., Ste. 102. Services by Whole Heart Chiropractic, which is in the Campbell Towers shopping center, include chiropractic adjustments for the spine and extremities, acupuncture, trigger point dry needling, craniosacral therapy, and soft tissue work including instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and cupping. She said the practice accepts Medicare and is currently credentialing with additional insurance payers. Cash-pay options also are available. Talbert said startup costs were $16,000, adding she recently moved back to her hometown of Springfield to open Whole Heart Chiropractic after prior clinic employment in Kansas City, Blue Hill, Maine, and Portland, Oregon.  
Phone: 417-538-6420
Web: WholeHeartChiro.com

Monica’s Mexican 
After closing downtown mainstay Maria’s Mexican Restaurant in 2022, the venture’s owners returned to the food service industry with the Dec. 15 opening of Monica’s Mexican. Monica Guest said she co-owns the mobile food trailer with her husband, Chris, adding it makes weekly appearances at Metro Eats, 2463 W. Sunshine St., along with other Springfield-area spots, such as Wire Road Brewing Co. LLC. Startup costs for the business registered as MCG Tacos LLC were $30,000, she said. The Guests are the lone employees for the eatery, whose menu is focused on the tacos the owners formerly made at Maria’s. The tacos are served fried or soft with choice of carne asada, carnitas, chicken and ground beef. Carne fries with protein choices also are served, as are sides, such as chips and guacamole. Prices range $5-$9. Guest said they missed the restaurant business and were encouraged to open a food truck, which she added better fit them now than returning to a brick-and-mortar location. Monica’s Mexican also offers catering services for events and parties.  
Email: monicasmexican@gmail.com