Open for Business: The Gochu

The Gochu
Chef Leo Kim is a new face at Nixa food hall 14 Mill Market with his restaurant The Gochu LLC. Kim had a soft opening Jan. 4 for his eatery, which does business as The Gochu Handcrafted Korean BBQ Bowl. It fills space vacated late last year by Queen City Soul Kitchen. Kim said startup costs were around $25,000 but declined to disclose his one-year lease rate with Rich and Leah Callahan, who own the 203 E. Mount Vernon St. property. Born in Korea, raised in Argentina, trained in Los Angeles and now a resident of Nixa, Kim said he wanted to create a menu with wide appeal. The Gochu, which is Korean for chili pepper, includes bowls filled with rice or noodles and a choice of protein, as well as sandwiches, salads and teas. Bibimbap and pork belly kimchi are among menu options, with prices ranging $6-$16. Kim became a professional chef in 2004 and started as head chef at RA Sushi Bar Restaurant in California. He said he also was executive chef for three other restaurants in L.A.
Phone: 417-766-8842
Web: 14MillMarket.com/TheGochu14Mill

HOA Management Specialists
Ownership of HOA Management Specialists LLC, which manages homeowner and property owner associations, changed hands Jan. 1. The company was purchased by Clint and Jenna Toedtmann and Trey and Rachel Watson. Jenna is the daughter and Clint is the son-in-law of HOAMS founder Jean Harmison, who also operates association management company Club Management Services LLC. HOAMS manages 23 communities, with another five in the works, said Watson, who also is in real estate with Keller Williams Greater Springfield. She declined to disclose the financial terms of the HOAMS acquisition, adding the business employs two aside from the ownership group. The new owners say HOAMS will remain at 4730 S. National Ave., where Club Management Services also operates. Jenna Toedtmann has worked at HOAMS since 2019 as an account manager, according to her LinkedIn profile. Watson said HOAMS services include financial management, administrative support, vendor coordination and community engagement.
Phone: 417-889-4626
Web: HOAMS.com

Chick-fil-A
Springfield’s third standalone shop of Atlanta-based fast-food chain Chick-fil-A opened Jan. 18 at 2355 N. Glenstone Ave. Brian Heberlie is franchisee of the 5,226-square-foot eatery, which employs roughly 100, according to company officials. Its menu includes chicken sandwiches, wraps, breakfast items, salads and milkshakes. Officials declined to disclose startup costs. The restaurant is next to a Whataburger store at the corner of Glenstone and Kearney Street, where the former Springfield Inn was demolished to make way for the new development. The land that is home to both eateries is owned by Naples C Store LLC, registered with the secretary of state’s office to Brad Thessing, a developer behind the project at the high-traffic intersection. Heberlie also is franchisee of the Chick-fil-A at 425 W. Sunshine St., according to its website. Another standalone store is located at 3700 S. Glenstone Ave., in addition to eateries inside Battlefield Mall and Missouri State University’s Plaster Student Union.
Phone: 417-427-2577
Web: Chick-fil-A.com