Open for Business: Raku Hibachi Sushi & Ramen

Raku Hibachi Sushi & Ramen
A pair of cousins are at the helm of Raku Hibachi Sushi & Ramen, which had its grand opening on Aug. 14 in Ozark at 1487 W. South St. Kukuh Bayu Prakoso and Raven Al Rasya co-own the business, which also has a location in Maryville. Prakoso and Al Rasya heard of the opportunity in Ozark from their uncle and father, Billy Yuzar, a food industry veteran who runs Kiko Hibachi & Sushi Express in Bolivar. Prakaso said startup costs were just under $200,000, and the owners signed a 5-year lease for an undisclosed rate with Jared Management LLC. The restaurant’s name comes from the Japanese word “raku,” which means ease, comfort, pleasure and enjoyment, Prakoso said. It also is the combination of the first two letters of their names: Raven and Kukuh. The business is registered through Tri Guna Infinity LLC and operates as Raku Hibachi Sushi & Ramen. Prakoso said the new restaurant serves traditional Japanese dishes – but with a Southern twist. Menu items include chicken paitan ramen, curry udon and bento boxes. Most entrees range $10-$25.
Phone: 417-551-4168
Web: RakuOzark.com

417 Pet Sitting
After taking over as owner of 417 Pet Sitting LLC in 2023, C.J. Miles sold the venture May 16 to Edyn King. A three-year employee at the business, King said she saw firsthand the impact that reliable, compassionate pet care can have on both animals and their owners. When the opportunity to purchase the business arose, it felt like a natural next step, she said, declining to disclose the purchase price. The 11-employee business operates remotely, King said, adding each staff member is background-checked, insured, bonded and licensed by the company. 417 Pet Sitting, which serves Springfield, Nixa, Ozark, Republic and Rogersville, offers in-home services to clients, including daily drop-in visits, private dog walks and overnight stays. King said the company’s care extends beyond dogs and cats to include more unusual pets, among them birds, lizards, rabbits and other small animals. Dog walks begin at $20, daily check-ins start at $25 per visit and overnight stays are $100 nightly.
Phone: 417-300-2167
Web: 417PetSitting.com

The Ozarks Music Alliance
The Ozarks Music Alliance, an organization created to promote Springfield to the music industry, was announced Aug. 7 on Facebook. It was co-founded by local couple Andy and Courtney Peebles. Andy is a shareholder and attorney with Carnahan Evans PC, and Courtney is a social media specialist and per-course faculty member at the Missouri State University Marketing Department. Andy said the goal is to enhance the live music scene by attracting artists who might otherwise not consider Springfield as a tour destination. Peebles said he and his wife contributed a “few thousand dollars” to launch a fiscal sponsorship through Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc. He said donations to TOMA through the fund are tax-deductible and go toward paying musicians. Peebles said he’s been in contact with bands and that TOMA will pay to bring them to Springfield. Ticket sales, after expenses, will go back into the fund at CFO, he said. TOMA will initially focus on shows at venues with a 200-person capacity.
Email: theozarksmusicalliance@gmail.com