Open for Business: Garden Adventures

Garden Adventures
The owners of Garden Adventures, a Nixa-based plant nursery, expanded into Springfield Oct. 1 with a retail store at Battlefield Mall. Randall Hargis, who co-owns the business with wife Christy, said the mall location specializes in houseplants and plant-themed home decor and accessories, such as artwork, jewelry and greeting cards. He said daughter Kelsey Hargis is manager of the two-employee store, which fills 1,246 square feet near Storming Crab restaurant. The space formerly was occupied by U.S. Cellular, which moved last year. Hargis said startup costs were $7,000, but he declined to disclose the family’s one-year lease rate with mall owner Simon Property Group. The Hargises bought the Nixa nursery at 1900 W. Mt. Vernon St. for an undisclosed rate in February 2021 from Dow and Linda Whiting, who opened it in 2008. Hargis said the mall store opening is designed to reach a larger audience and expand the company’s selection of plants beyond Nixa.
Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday
Phone: 417-771-5483
Web: GardenAdventuresNursery.com

Ozarks Elder Law
The office total for Springfield-based Ozarks Elder Law neared double digits in southwest Missouri with the Feb. 1 opening of a location in Republic. Law firm owner and managing attorney Lori Rook said the company launched its ninth office at 255 W. U.S. Highway 60, Ste. 255. She said the office fills 1,400 square feet in Plaza Southwest Retail Center that previously housed Sunshine & Daisies Boutique, which is now focused solely on e-commerce. She declined to disclose startup costs or lease terms with Plaza Southwest LLC, noting the Republic office is currently open to clients by appointment only. Clientele for Ozarks Elder Law’s legal services, which include estate and asset protection planning, are older adults and people who are disabled. Rook said the company employs 27, including six attorneys. The Republic office opening follows the 9-year-old firm’s expansion into Bolivar about a year ago. It also has offices in Springfield, Branson, Joplin, Lebanon, Marshfield, Nixa and Ozark.
Hours: By appointment
Phone: 417-868-8200
Web: OzarksElderLaw.com

Branson CPA
A certified public accountant became a first-time business owner Nov. 15 after launching Branson CPA LLC. Tucker Virnig opened his two-employee firm in Branson at 201 Buccaneer Blvd. Virnig said the office fills roughly 500 square feet in a building occupied by insurance and business advising firm Ollis/Akers/Arney. He said startup costs were $10,000, but he declined to disclose lease terms. Branson CPA’s services include startup business consulting, tax return preparation and strategic planning. The firm is open four days a week for appointments, Virnig said, adding prospective clients can book free consultations online. Virnig, a 2017 College of the Ozarks graduate with a bachelor’s in accounting, said he worked the past four years for Abacus CPAs LLC before starting his own firm.
Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday
Phone: 417-655-5552
Web: Branson.cpa