Open for Business: Culture Flock

Culture Flock
After five years in Galloway Village, retail shop Culture Flock Clothing LLC relocated June 10 to 607 S. Pickwick Ave. in the Rountree neighborhood. The 2013-founded venture, which does business as Culture Flock, previously operated at 3938 S. Lone Pine Ave., Ste. 102. Summer Trottier, who co-owns the business with wife Brittany Bilyeu and brother Brent Brown, declined to disclose relocation and renovation costs or the three-year lease rate with building owners Ryan and Amanda Owen. As Culture Flock’s lease in Galloway was up, Trottier said they desired to find a more established location with greater foot traffic. The four-employee shop is in 1,300 square feet previously filled by market and cafe Culture Counter, which exited the space in April. While still designing apparel, Trottier said Culture Flock now outsouces production to Branson Screenprinting LLC. The retailer also sells gift items, such as art prints, candles, keychains and greeting cards, in store and online.
Phone: 417-986-1946
Web: CultureFlock.com

ProsperU
Central Bank in Springfield debuted a financial education center, dubbed ProsperU, on June 7 at 1818 S. Stewart Ave. Located across from Central Bank’s Sunshine Street and Glenstone Avenue local headquarters, the center provides in-person and online financial education classes free to the public. Central Bank appointed Community Development Officer Rebecca Greene as director of ProsperU. Andrew Tasset, Central Bank vice president and marketing manager, said Greene manages the program and teaches classes online and in-person and offers one-on-one counseling. Startup costs were $75,000, Tasset said, adding ProsperU is available year-round to the public, not just Central Bank customers. The 5,112-square-foot Stewart Avenue building previously was used as a training facility for the bank’s employees, he said. ProsperU classes cover finance basics, such as creating a budget and fixing bad credit, as well as buying a first home and managing money after a divorce.
Phone: 417-569-1643
Web: CentralBank.net/prosperu-sgf

Simple Simon’s Pizza
Oklahoma-based franchise Simple Simon’s Pizza opened a Springfield shop on April 18 at 1317 W. Sunshine St. in Elfindale Corners. The restaurant, owned and operated by franchisee E & B Holdings LLC, fills space formerly occupied by a T-Mobile store. Ethan Hart and Brian Hillman of E & B Holdings have the rights for Springfield and the surrounding cities. Hillman said startup costs for the restaurant, including franchise expenses, were $300,000. E & B Holdings signed a five-year lease, with a five-year renewal option, at roughly $2,000 per month, Hillman said. The 1,700-square-foot eatery is the first of up to seven Simple Simon’s Pizza locations the holding company plans to open, he said. The restaurant chain started in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, in 1987 and has since expanded to over 230 locations nationwide. Aside from pizza, offerings include sandwiches, wings, calzones and stromboli. Most pizzas range $7-$22.
Phone: 417-351-3059
Web: SimpleSimonsPizza.com