Open for Business: La Casita Mexican Cuisine

La Casita Mexican Cuisine
Ozark’s restaurant scene grew Nov. 15 with the opening of La Casita Mexican Cuisine. Sergio Ruiz co-owns the 750 N. 18th St. eatery with longtime friend Martin Palma via Ozark Fenix LLC. The friends also own Casa Bella, which opened in late 2021 at 4610 S. Campbell Ave., followed by its second location that launched last year at 300 E. Battlefield Road. While La Casita has a different name, its menu is similar to that of Casa Bella, Ruiz said. Aside from burritos, tacos, enchiladas and quesadillas, the menu includes various dishes with steak, chicken and seafood as proteins. Options include carne asada, pollo mango habanero and ceviche. Prices range $10-$20. Ruiz said an extensive renovation was required to transform the former Rib Crib restaurant into La Casita, noting startup costs were roughly $300,000. A staff of 10 currently works at the restaurant, but Ruiz said he wants to add around five more employees in the coming weeks. The lease is with building owner Jamie Tillman, he said, declining to disclose terms.
Phone: 417-551-4111
Email: Lacasitaozark@gmail.com

U-Haul
U-Haul expanded its campus on both sides of South Campbell Avenue, between Battlefield Road and Walnut Lawn Street, with the acquisition of a neighboring business on Sept. 24. U-Haul purchased South Campbell Storage, located at 3194 S. Campbell Ave. Sydney Ellis, media and public relations specialist for Phoenix, Arizona-based U-Haul International Inc., declined to disclose the purchase price. Greene County assessor and recorder data shows the South Campbell Storage property is now owned by Amerco Real Estate Co., a division of parent company U-Haul Holding Co. (NYSE: UHAL), along with U-Haul International and others. A note amount is not listed with the September warranty deed. The South Campbell Storage property is adjacent to U-Haul storage and offices at 3150 S. Campbell Ave. A strip center in front of South Campbell Storage is separately owned and not part of the purchase. Across the street at 3145 S. Campbell Ave. is a U-Haul moving and storage center that previously was a Napleton Autowerks dealership the company purchased in 2019.
Phone: 417-429-0844
Web: UHaul.com

Soap Refill Station
After six years in downtown Springfield, Soap Refill Station LLC relocated Aug. 19 to 1912 E. Sunshine St. The business, co-owned by Anne Dezort and her business partner, Adam McKay, previously was located at 210 S. Campbell Ave., where it launched in 2018. Dezort said Soap Refill Station fills 1,400 square feet in space formerly occupied by Sleeth Hobbies Inc., which shuttered. She declined to disclose relocation costs and lease terms. The refilling shop for soaps, shampoos, body scrubs and other cleaning products employs four, Dezort said, noting a couple of attractors to its new space is the location and having its own parking lot for the first time. Costs are determined by weight, with new and recycled bottles also available. Additionally, the shop has a donation bin where customers can donate clean and ready-to-fill containers, rather than recycling them or throwing them away. Soap Refill Station also has a second location in Kansas City, which she said opened in 2020.
Phone: 417-300-5999
Web: GetMoSoap.com