Open for Business: Poppy & Co. Salon

Poppy & Co. Salon
Emma Fair became a first-time business owner with the March 10 launch of Poppy & Co. Salon LLC. Fair said the downtown Springfield hair salon at 212 W. McDaniel St. fills space formerly occupied by martial arts school Kokoro Training Academy. With past hair salon experience at Salt and Light Salon LLC, Fair said she began seeking an opportunity last summer to strike out on her own. A former West Plains resident, Fair said she moved to Springfield in 2023. She said owning her own business has been a longtime desire, adding the salon is named in honor of her grandfather, who she called Poppy. She declined to disclose startup costs or lease terms for the venture. Fair leads the staff of five at the 1,800-square-foot salon, which offers haircuts, highlights, blowouts and extensions among its services. Prices for most services range $45-$225, according to its website.  
Phone: 417-252-1787
Web: PoppyAndCoSalon.glossgenius.com

Visit Springfield, Missouri 
April 27 was the opening day for Visit Springfield, Missouri’s Route 66 Welcome Center. The center at 318 Park Central East, Ste. 106, in The U building is across the street from the Gillioz Theatre and adjacent to the newly created Birthplace of Route 66 Plaza. Visit Springfield’s president and CEO Mark Hecquet said the visitor center move from 815 E. St. Louis St. is a bid to leverage better foot traffic to promote the city’s offerings to more people. The change was timed to coincide with celebrations such as the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and America’s 250th birthday. Visit Springfield, Missouri signed a five-year lease for undisclosed terms with The U At Springfield LLC for the 1,745-square-foot space. H Design Group LLC was the architect, and Nabholz Construction Co. was the contractor for the project. The welcome center features maps, guides, local recommendations and souvenirs for visitors. Hecquet said two employees staff the center, while Visit Springfield’s administrative offices remain at the St. Louis Street building. 
Phone: 417-881-5300
Web: SpringfieldMo.org

Tasty Acres Strawberries and More 
Tasty Acres Strawberries and More, a U-pick berry farm in far northeast Springfield, changed hands in April. Peyton Andrews said she and husband Devan bought the 3495 E. State Highway AA business from Sonja and Doug High on April 14. While declining to disclose the financial terms of the deal or the farm’s revenues, Andrews said she is 51% owner with the remainder owned by her husband. The 12-acre farm has 3 acres of strawberries, 2 acres of elderberries and 2 acres dedicated to a new U-pick vegetable garden, Andrews said. Aside from strawberries, elderberries and vegetables, the farm also offers sweet treats such as soft serve ice cream and slushies, along with flowers for sale in its greenhouse. Andrews, who is a former Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce administrative vice president, said she is working full time at the farm, adding her husband also works at John Deere Reman. The farm held a May 27 ribbon-cutting ceremony with the chamber, according to the company’s Facebook page. 
Phone: 417-501-6840
Web: Facebook.com/AAtastyacres