Open for Business: The Glasses Place

The Glasses Place
With a combined 30 years of experience working in the optical industry, business partners Sarah Perryman and Sherry O’Brien decided to start their first ownership venture, The Glasses Place LLC. The shop at 1920 E. Independence Ave., Ste. A, opened Aug. 3 in James River Towne Center. O’Brien declined to disclose startup costs or lease terms for the 1,200-square-foot shop, formerly occupied by Vapor 100. The owners are the lone employees at the store, which sells eyewear starting at $60 for children and $75 for adults. Brands of frames include Nine West, Nike and Eddie Bauer. Accessories, such as lens cleaners, magnifiers and straps, also are sold at the shop, which additionally offers full-service frame repairs. Both women most recently worked at Mattax-Neu-Prater Eye Center Inc., with O’Brien’s experience also including Walmart Vision Center and Vision Clinic PC, while Perryman started her career at Sunshine Eye Clinic.
Phone: 417-888-5113
Web: TheGlassesPlaceLLC.com

Old Time Pottery
Murfreesboro, Tennessee-based home decor retailer Old Time Pottery LLC opened its first Springfield store Sept. 3 at 1535 E. Battlefield Road. The 85,000-square-foot store replaces Hobby Lobby and Mardel, which moved in March to 3075 S. Glenstone Ave. Colby Swann, Old Time Pottery chief operating officer, said John Best is general manager of the Queen City store, which employs 31. He declined to disclose startup costs or lease terms. Old Time Pottery sells home decor products, including accent pillows, candles, lamps and vases, along with bedding, kitchen supplies, rugs, planters, and indoor and outdoor furniture. Swann said Old Time Pottery was attracted to Springfield as a strong regional shopping destination, adding the new store is the company’s third in Missouri, after opening in Florrisant and Kansas City. The company has 40 stores in 11 states, according to its website.
Phone: 417-447-7400
Web: OldTimePottery.com

Embers Cigar Lounge
Nearly two years after debuting in Branson, Embers Cigar Lounge relocated Aug. 4 to 17 Downing St. in Hollister. With the move from 9 S. Boardwalk, Ste. C, in Branson, the shop was able to add beer and wine sales, said Betsy McConnell, who co-owns Embers with her husband, Kevin. Branson’s smoking ban prohibited any food or drink sales in their former location, she said, adding the shop opened in October 2020. Lease terms were undisclosed, but McConnell said the couple spent around $80,000 in renovations for the 1,700-square-foot lounge, which also has outdoor seating. She said Embers is in a building over 100 years old and had been vacant for around five years. It formerly was used as a church for about 50 years, she added. The cigar lounge, which includes a walk-in humidor, is nearly twice the size of its former spot in Branson, she said.
Phone: 417-334-7070
Web: EmbersCigar.com