Open for Business: The KBQ Korean BBQ Bowls

The KBQ Korean BBQ Bowls
After opening Aug. 11 in Branson, The KBQ Korean BBQ Bowls LLC made a move in early October to Springfield. The food truck has set up operations at 1707 W. Battlefield Road across the street from a Hy-Vee grocery store, said Jayson Kim, who co-owns the venture with his wife, Jennifer. The couple are the lone employees of the mobile eatery, which sells grab-and-go-style Korean barbecue bowls. The bowls contain a protein of choice, sauteed soy garlic noodles, potstickers and a creamy avocado salad. Other options include a Seoul Flight, a trio of Korean-style tacos, as well as kimchi fried rice. Prices range $3-$14. Startup costs were around $85,000, he said, declining to disclose lease terms. Kim said the food truck fulfills his and his wife’s dream of owning their own business; he noted he has roughly 15 years of food service experience working as a sushi chef in restaurants, including Haruno and Karai. He said there was a need for more Korean food establishments in the area, adding his business also provides catering.
Phone: 417-619-2048
Email: thekbqfoodtruck@gmail.com

College Station Theaters
Downtown Springfield regained a multiplex on Nov. 22 with the grand opening of College Station Theaters. Tillman Redevelopment LLC, which owns the 50,000-square-foot theater at 415 W. College St. and the College Station development, previously announced it was bringing its own theater concept to the spot left vacant in January 2023 by Regal Cinemas. Curtis Killingsworth, assistant general manager, said he is among 40 employees at the independent first-run theater, which is utilizing 10 of its 14 screens. All auditoriums, which have capacity ranging 50-150, feature heated, reclining seats. Tillman Redevelopment served as general contractor for the theater work, which included installation of laser projectors and four rooms with Dolby Atmos technology. Theater officials declined to disclose investment costs. The theater also includes a brick-and-mortar Pineapple Whip shop, pizza from The Big Slice, coffee from The Coffee Ethic LLC and an arcade area from 1984. Ticket prices range $7-$11.
Phone: 417-877-7695
Web: CollegeStationTheaters.com

Visit Springfield, Missouri
The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc., which serves as the area’s destination marketing organization, rebranded Nov. 22 to Visit Springfield, Missouri. The Springfield CVB name will no longer be used externally, said Lucy Atwood, communications manager for Visit Springfield, Missouri. The nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization hired Reston, Virginia-based Heart and Mind Strategies and Springfield-based Revel Advertising on the rebranding effort. Atwood said the organization has invested $175,000 in a “comprehensive, multiphase research study” as part of the rebranding process. She noted $75,000 has been paid to Revel Advertising to date. A reveal of the new branding took place Nov. 23 as part of the Mayor’s Tree Lighting Holiday Show, say officials with the tourism organization, adding its rebranding efforts include changes to banners and social media. Visit Springfield, Missouri, led by president and CEO Mark Hecquet, operates a visitor center at 815 E. St. Louis St., Ste. 100.
Phone: 417-881-5300
Web: SpringfieldMO.org