Open for Business: Springfield Mercantile Co.

Springfield Mercantile Co.
Katie Shelton took over ownership of Springfield Mercantile Co. on Nov. 1. Shelton said she purchased the 6-year-old company and product inventory from founder Molly Brown for an undisclosed price, adding the 326 E. Commercial St. shop marks a first-time brick-and-mortar ownership venture for her. She reopened the store to the public Dec. 8, noting Springfield Mercantile Co. had largely become an online retailer since the Commercial Street shop closed amid the coronavirus pandemic in 2021. She said Brown occasionally had the store open for limited hours and by appointment over the past couple of years. Shelton, who said she’s largely kept the 1,400-square-foot store intact, declined to disclose startup costs or her one-year lease rate with landlord Dan Johnson. The original retail focus of Springfield Mercantile Co., which sells natural and sustainable housewares and supplies, is being maintained, Shelton said. However, she is adding to the store’s inventory, including more home decor, personal care and handmade items.
Phone: 417-831-8131
Web: www.SpringfieldMercantile.com

Little Sunshine’s Enterprises
Springfield-based private preschool and early child care operator Little Sunshine’s Enterprises Inc. relocated its headquarters Dec. 1 to Galloway Village from Farmers Park. The company, which does business as Little Sunshine’s Playhouse and Preschool, moved to 4022 S. Lone Pine Ave., Ste. 150, from 2144 E. Republic Road, Ste. B201. CEO Brett Roubal said Little Sunshine’s penned a three-year lease with options for undisclosed terms to occupy around 4,200 square feet in Quarry Town. The growth of Little Sunshine’s helped spur the move, Roubal said, adding the new space has multiple office and private breakout areas. He said the company operated in roughly 3,600 square feet at Farmers Park for seven years. The 22-employee corporate office supports Little Sunshine’s network of 35 schools in 11 states, Roubal said, and 10 other schools are in the works. The company has more than 1,000 employees. Little Sunshine’s produced revenue of $80 million in 2022.
Phone: 417-887-4242
Web: LittleSunshine.com

Cowork Collective
Cowork Collective LLC, a boutique-style coworking space and flex office owned by Brett Heman, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 14 at 308 E. Broadway St. in Monett. The 3,100-square-foot business incorporates two buildings in the town of roughly 9,800 residents. Heman said startup costs were a little over $300,000, adding Craftsman Construction and Woodworking LLC was general contractor for the project designed by R.E. Werner Architect LLC. The space includes 11 private offices, 12 open desks, a phone booth for private calls, a conference room, a kitchen stocked with unlimited coffee and a courtyard to allow outside work. Cowork Collective also provides mail services, which Heman said provides home-based businesses, freelancers and entrepreneurs a professional mailing address. Access to the venue is available via memberships or day passes for small and large office suites. Day passes are $25, while monthly memberships begin at $100 for a desk and $400 for an office.
Phone: 417-737-7101
Web: CoworkCollective.com