Open for Business: Soap Refill Station

SBJ photo by Wes Hamilton

Anne Dezort, Soap Refill Station

Soap Refill Station
With a desire to help the environment, a pair of former Springfield residents have returned to town to start a refilling shop for soaps, shampoos and other cleaning products. Soap Refill Station manager Anne Dezort, along with boyfriend Adam McKay, opened the store July 23 at 210 S. Campbell Ave., which formerly was a Paul Mitchell cosmetology school. “Our whole mission is to reduce plastic waste in landfills and water space,” Dezort said of the 1,400-square-foot shop, which allows customers to bring in their own plastic or glass containers and refill them with purchased products. Costs are determined by weight, with new and recycled bottles also available. Donations of clean plastic and glass bottles are accepted. Dezort signed a lease for undisclosed terms with McKay’s father, who is the building owner. She previously managed a similar store in Nevada City, California, before coming back earlier this year to the Queen City. “I grew up around here, and I just felt like I needed to bring this home,” Dezort said.
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Phone: (417) 319-5188
Web: GetMoSoap.com

Midwest Archery
Building on six years as an internet-based business, Midwest Archery opened the doors to its first physical location July 16 at 4725 N. State Highway 13. The store carries bows and crossbows priced $300-$1,600, along with tree stands and backpacks for $100-$400. Co-owner Brad Williams said it was a year in the works after his brother Greg and their father Jason purchased the former Carpet Barn store for an undisclosed price. They invested $100,000 to renovate the 6,000-square retail building. An adjacent building is used to warehouse and ship inventory. According to Greene County assessor records, the 1973-built Carpet Barn building on 4 acres had a 2017 taxable appraised value of $312,300 the last two years. With products for the average to expert hunter, Williams said the family wanted to set up shop to handle its growing inventory, valued at roughly $1 million. “This is our sixth year, and we just keep growing,” he said, noting online sales of $5 million in 2017.
Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday
Phone: (417) 403-2141
Web: MidwestArchery.com

The Rib Joint LLC
Operating for 14 years as The Rib Shack, June 30 marked the launch of The Rib Joint LLC. Located in the Cimmaron Center strip mall at 2963 E. Chestnut Expressway, the Memphis-style barbecue eatery reopened with Christopher Berry as new co-owner, along with original owner Jennie Turner. For longtime fans of the restaurant, Berry said the only differences are the name and an updated look. An increased presence of the store’s food truck at festivals, fairs and other community events, along with building on the catering side of the business also are planned. “We’re really wanting to step that up,” Berry said. Leased month-to-month for $850 from strip mall owner David Robison, Berry said the restaurant seats 35 and has two employees. The menu has pulled pork, beef brisket, fried shrimp and catfish, and chicken wings, with most combo meals in the $10-$13 range. “I don’t think anyone leaves here hungry,” Berry said.
Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Phone: (417) 844-6585
Web: TheRibJointMo.com