Russell Cellular assumes operations of corporate stores

Russell Cellular Inc. assumed the operations of eight Verizon Wireless corporate stores.

Jeven Russell, vice president of operations for the Battlefield-based firm, said the company took over the leases and converted the stores to Russell Cellular-operated locations.

The stores that provide cellphones, accessories and phone plans transitioned to Russell Cellular on Aug. 18, according to a news release.

"We were excited about the opportunity to bring them into the Russell Cellular portfolio as flagship stores," Russell Cellular President and CEO Jeff Russell said in the release. "They are a perfect complement to our existing service area and we are excited about the expansion of distribution points and the opportunity to serve new customers."

The store list includes a Missouri location in Chesterfield, as well as shops in Arkansas, New Mexico and Texas. With the new locations, Russell Cellular has 607 Verizon-authorized retail stores in 37 states.

Russell Cellular this month ranked No. 3,006 on the annual Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The company also was No. 1 this summer in Springfield Business Journal's Dynamic Dozen awards list measuring the area's fastest-growing companies. Russell Cellular reported 2019 revenue of $599 million.

Earlier this year, Russell Cellular finalized a series of store purchases, following its two largest acquisitions completed last year. The company also in 2019 completed its $6 million headquarters project in Wilson Creek Marketplace.