Open for Business: Shabu Hot Pot

Shabu Hot Pot
A Sept. 17 soft launch preceded a Sept. 21 grand opening for Shabu Hot Pot at 4560 S. Campbell Ave., Ste. 136, in Shadowood Shopping Center. John Ngo said he is a front-of-house manager for the restaurant owned by his parents, Eric and Kelly Ngo. Ngo declined to disclose startup costs for the roughly 3,500-square-foot restaurant in space that formerly housed Bellacino’s Pizza & Grinders. Lease terms with building owner Diversity Commercial Investments LLC also were not disclosed. Ngo said Shabu Hot Pot customers select a soup base, with a variety of options, including spicy, chicken and herbs, and pork broth, and use that base to cook meats, noodles and vegetables. Servers take orders for various cuts of meats, including beef, chicken and shrimp, and customers can choose items from a conveyor belt that runs throughout the restaurant, he said. Adult prices are roughly $20 for lunchtime and $30 for dinner, with prices ranging $7-$15 for kids, said Ngo, noting the menu is designed as an unlimited offering with a single price.
Phone: 417-353-8301
Web: ShabuHotPot417.com

Ingram Enterprises
Two U.S. fireworks industry companies combined through an acquisition that closed Sept. 11. An affiliate of Springfield-based Ingram Enterprises Inc., dba Fireworks Over America, penned a deal to buy Pyro Spectaculars, based in Rialto, California. Gabrielle Martin, director of marketing for Ingram Enterprises, declined to disclose the financial terms of the deal. Pyro Spectaculars, which operates fireworks displays, is now under the umbrella of Ingram Enterprises, along with Fireworks Over America, Showtime FX and Opulence Productions LLC, officials say. Ingram Enterprises also operates 21 Fireworks Supermarket stores in multiple states, according to its website. Pyro Spectacular’s former owners, Jim Souza, Gary Souza and Ian Gilfillan, are staying on as consultants, according to officials. Martin said Pyro Spectaculars has over 50 full-time corporate employees and eight production houses along the West Coast. A Pyro Spectaculars branch in the Midwest also is planned.
Phone: 417-862-1931
Web: FireworksOverAmerica.com

Mama G’s Kitchen
Roughly two years after opening her first restaurant, Mama G’s Kitchen, owner Gloria Hereford added a second location on June 29 in College Station at 210 S. Market St., Ste. 124. She said startup costs for the new 3,100-square-foot eatery were just a little under $100,000, adding she signed a three-year lease for an undisclosed rate with Tillman Redevelopment LLC. Hereford said the new location will accommodate a growing number of customers beyond her restaurant inside the food hall at Metro Eats, 2463 W. Sunshine St. The first Mama G’s opened in July 2022. The menu includes comfort and soul food, such as catfish, smothered chicken, stuffed turkey leg, fried chicken livers and meatloaf. Entree prices range $9-$19. With a combined staff of 33, including 28 employees at the downtown shop, Hereford said she frequently shuttles between the two locations to cook. The Market Street eatery also is open late on Fridays and Saturdays and offers brunch on Sundays.
Phone: 417-771-5168
Email: lovelycreations.mamag@gmail.com