Open for Business: Famous Dave's Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que

Famous Dave’s Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que
Minneapolis-based franchisor Famous Dave’s of America Inc. (Nasdaq: DAVE) added a Springfield restaurant Dec. 5 at 4406 S. Campbell Ave. The franchisee, Midwest BBQ Ventures South Springfield LLC, is co-owned by managing member Dave Jones, Joe Gira and Mark Coburn. Jones also owns Branson-based Jones Restaurants Missouri LLC, the franchisee of Famous Dave’s Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que at Branson Landing and Branson Airport. Coburn and a St. Louis investor organized 4406 South Campbell LLC to purchase the former Auto World site in June, and crews from Nebraska-based KSI Construction have converted the showroom into seating for 228 on two floors. A staff of 135 at the 6,100-square-foot restaurant serves ribs, hickory-smoked meats and other barbecue offerings as well as local craft beer from Mother’s Brewing Co. Lampe-based Wood Merchant LLC built the 40-foot bar with a 100-year-old sycamore tree removed a year ago from Sequiota Park. Famous Dave’s assesses a $40,000 franchise fee and charges 5 percent royalties, Jones said. Robert Baer is general manger of the Springfield eatery, he said. Hours: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Phone: (417) 877-8646. Web: FamousDaves.com

Artisan Fabrication LLC
Quentin Pendergrass opened Artisan Fabrication LLC on Oct. 1 after purchasing JM Welding/Fabricating Inc. from Jerry Mallonee. The 25,000-square-foot job shop at 907 W. Chase St. employs 10, said Pendergrasss, who funded the startup and acquisition with a $275,000 U.S. Small Business Administration-backed loan through Liberty Bank. Artisan Fabrication, which leases the building from Mallonee, provides stainless steel fabrication, welding, water-jet cutting and tubing for roughly a dozen customers that manufacture products for the pharmaceutical, food processing and mechanical contracting industries. Pendergrass worked 12 years in food processing, largely with Nothum Manufacturing, where he started sweeping and sandblasting and worked up to running the assembly floor. He’s worked the last four years in management at Amelex Inc. Hours: 7 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: (417) 864-6085. Web: ArtisanFabrication.com

Other Mothers
Owners Joe and Linda Audas relocated Springfield’s original Other Mothers clothing exchange Nov. 28 to 1430 W. Kearney St. from 2639 E. Kearney St. Linda Audas said the 6,000-square-foot space, formerly home to Ken’s Appliance Center Inc., has a more open layout that makes shopping easier. Joe Audas’ mother, Judy Audas, opened the first store in 1986 with the concept that parents can exchange outgrown clothing and accessories in good condition for store credit that can be used to buy clothing and other items for infants and children. Linda Audas said the store pays cash for nonclothing items such as infant furniture and large toys. Joe and Linda Audas are buying the new location, which had been listed by Murney Associates Realtors for $549,000. Other Mothers also operates at 332 S. Glenstone Ave., and the stores combined employ about 10. Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Phone: (417) 831-1363. Web: Other-Mothers.com

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