Open for Business: The War Zone Springfield

The War Zone Springfield
New ownership is in place at indoor Nerf gaming venue The War Zone Springfield LLC following the Jan. 1 purchase of the business by Chris and Lisa Clay from Vanessa Grimaldi. Lisa Clay said she and her husband paid $20,000 for the venture, which includes its website along with all furniture and equipment. Grimaldi in early 2021 launched the indoor game concept near the intersection of Walnut Lawn Street and Campbell Avenue. The business, which moved in November 2023 to 3322 S. Campbell Ave., Ste. B, remains in Sheid’s Plaza. The War Zone offers games for ages 5 and older, with Nerf gun, ammunition and safety glasses provided for all players. Hourly open play is $15 and birthday parties range $270-$625, according to its website. The couple has taken over Grimaldi’s lease with Sandy Harrel of McLoud & Co. LLC. Clay said the lease is set to end in April but is hoping for a multiyear extension. Other than getting help from a part-time worker, Clay said she and her husband are The War Zone’s only employees.
Phone: 417-761-0314
Web: TheWarZoneSpringfield.com

SignalPoint Asset Management
In a deal announced Jan. 15, Springfield investment advisory firm SignalPoint Asset Management LLC has joined a platform operated by New York-based Farther, providing back-office support for the local company. SignalPoint, which has roughly $650 million in client assets under management and a local office at 1201 E. Walnut St., represents Farther’s largest partnership to date, according to officials. Through the agreement, the company is now operating as SignalPoint powered by Farther. The partnership gives SignalPoint access to Farther’s administrative support for functions such as marketing, compliance and human resources, as well as technology tools and an investment desk. SignalPoint retains full ownership of its client books, and in exchange pays an undisclosed revenue split to Farther. SignalPoint, which was founded as an independent registered investment adviser in 2008, serves roughly 500 Midwest families with services such as financial planning and portfolio management. The company also has an office in Madison, Wisconsin.
Phone: 417-869-4422
Web: SignalPointInvest.com

Springfield Art Museum
The Feb. 7 First Friday Art Walk marked the official public opening for the temporary home of the Springfield Art Museum. The museum temporarily closed its 1111 E. Brookside Drive location for a three-year renovation project and is now open at 431 S. Jefferson Ave., Ste. 108, in Wilhoit Plaza. Nicole Chilton, the museum’s communications specialist, said Phase I of the project will begin in March with a Feb. 28 groundbreaking set. She said the museum is leasing 6,808 square feet on Jefferson Street for roughly $8,935 per month through November 2027 with Wilhoit Plaza L and P LLC. The Wilhoit Plaza location, dubbed The Art Study Club, serves as both a hub for art programming – offering hands-on classes, community events and monthly open houses – and the administrative headquarters for the museum. The Art Study Club is a nod to the original group that founded the museum in 1928, officials say. The museum’s 10,000-piece collection is temporarily unavailable for public viewing, though select pieces and exhibitions are available on its website.
Phone: 417-837-5700
Web: SGFMuseum.org