Open for Business: Art Zone

Art Zone
The need for larger teaching and storage space prompted the May 1 move of Art Zone LLC to 840 W. Guin Road in Nixa. Catherine Russell, who co-owns the 9-year-old business with Laura Rush, said they bought the 9,000-square-foot building for an undisclosed price from Excel Investments LLC. The 14-employee venture previously operated at 107 W. Aldersgate, Ste. 6, in Nixa. Russell declined to disclose relocation and renovation costs, noting the space, which is next door to entertainment venue Ozarks Event Center, was vacant for the past 17 years. She said Jake Gullett of JBG Services LLC was general contractor for renovations. Russell and Rush also co-own Studio Fitness Nixa LLC, which operates in shared space with Art Zone. The art studio offers classes and paint-your-own pottery events, and it hosts art camps, birthday parties and painting socials. Weekly classes for home school art are $40, and it’s $120 for one month of pottery wheel for beginners or $100 per month for studio members.
Phone: 417-224-9816
Web: ArtZoneNixa.com

Launch Virtual Learning Center
Springfield Public Schools-owned venture Launch Virtual Learning Center moved May 15 to 1410 S. Kansas Expressway. The 20,211-square-foot building also houses the school district’s Professional Learning Department, said Nichole Lemmon, director of virtual learning and strategic planning for SPS. Launch previously was in leased space at 601 N. National Ave., Ste. 102, Lemmon said, noting its new home is dubbed the SPS Professional and Virtual Learning Center. Travis Shaw, deputy superintendent of operations, said the district invested $3.6 million in the building, including its purchase from Gordon Builders Inc., renovations and furnishings. Lemmon said the building previously housed state government offices for Veterans Commission, as well as Child Support and Social Service. Launch, a statewide fully virtual K-12 school program, has a staff of 70 and provides online instruction of nearly 500 courses to students in more than 370 Missouri school districts, according to officials.
Phone: 417-523-0417
Web: FueledByLaunch.com

The Permit Shop
Transportation industry insurance company The Permit Shop Inc. relocated April 3 to 1615 S. Ingram Mill Road, Ste. C, from 1801 W. Norton Road, Ste. 205. Padgett Smith has owned the 45-year-old business for three years, having purchased it from Paul Jarvis, who retired. The Permit Shop works with owners and operators in the transportation industry to obtain travel resources. Smith said she initially was leasing the 3,100-square-foot Ingram Mill Road space through Youngkin Properties LLC before purchasing it July 31 for an undisclosed price. She also declined to disclose relocation costs. The five-employee shop helps truck drivers with Department of Transportation services, such as apportioned plates, fuel taxes, licenses and permits. Smith previously worked for several trucking companies in Springfield, including O&S Trucking and T-Haul Tank Lines LLC. Smith said she wanted to relocate due to lack of space and a desire to later add another unidentified business.
Phone: 417-833-3355
Web: PermitShopInc.com