Open for Business: Curly Que Barbecue

Curly Que Barbecue
Bolivar-based Curly Que Barbecue LLC expanded its footprint south with its second location opening May 16 at 1450 E. Sunshine St. The restaurant fills 2,000 square feet in the original home of Hot Cluckers LLC, which moved to a south-side location before later shuttering. Jake Lockhart said he co-owns Curly Que with his parents, David and Cindi Lockhart, noting his friend Jacob Mills serves as general manager. The family signed a five-year lease for an undisclosed rate with CLB Apex Holdings LLC, Lockhart said, adding startup costs were $75,000. Curly Que opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in 2017, at 507 E. Maupin St. in Bolivar, five years after starting as a catering business, according to company owners. While Lockhart’s parents are starting to step back from day-to-day involvement, he said he’s shuttling between both restaurants. Aside from barbecued meats, Curly Que’s Springfield menu includes fried chicken, burgers, wings, tacos and salads. Most entrees range $10-$18.
Phone: 417-755-7280
Web: Facebook.com/CurlyQueBuffalo

T-Mobile
The first retail store in Bolivar for phone carrier T-Mobile opened April 10 at 2230 S. Springfield Ave., Ste. B. Joseph Karaffa is manager of the five-employee shop, said T-Mobile spokesperson Lyssa Hansen, who declined to disclose lease terms or startup costs. She said the company-owned store fills 1,000 square feet in the Railway Station shopping center formerly occupied by I Am Wireless, a phone repair store that moved down the street. T-Mobile stores carry smartphones, tablets, smartwatches and accessories, including speakers and phone protective cases. Product brands include Apple, Google, Motorola and Samsung. The company also offers wireless home internet plans beginning at $50 per month. T-Mobile has over 6,000 corporate-owned retail stores across the U.S. and more than 100 in Missouri, Hansen said.
Phone: 417-727-0207
Web: T-Mobile.com

Whataburger
After opening its first southwest Missouri stores in Republic and Ozark in recent months, San Antonio, Texas-based Whataburger made its Queen City debut on May 8 at 3880 W. Sunshine St. The restaurant employs 100 and is led by Operating Partner George Moore Jr., said Whataburger spokesperson Alexandra Ruffo. She said the eatery, which is open 24/7, offers dine-in, curbside and drive-thru service. Delivery is expected to be added in the coming weeks, she said. Another Springfield Whataburger restaurant opened late last month – at Glenstone Avenue and Kearney Street – and company officials say an additional location is underway at 401 N. Eastgate Ave., near Menards at the Chestnut Expressway and U.S. Highway 65 interchange. Selling hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, malts, shakes and breakfast items, the company has more than 950 restaurants in 14 states, according to its website.
Phone: 417-429-0601
Web: Whataburger.com