Business Spotlight: New location offers more room for cuckoos

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Looking for a Black Forest cuckoo clock? How about a Sligh grandfather clock or a mantel clock? Then again, an antique clock would make a nice conversation piece. |ret||ret||tab|

Given the selection, it's easy to see why some customers at the Clock Shop spend a great deal of time pondering their choices before purchasing a clock. |ret||ret||tab|

Since moving to its new location at 1332 E. Republic on Nov. 1, the Clock Shop has increased its inventory significantly. The shop now carries large and small chalet-style cuckoos, traditional cuckoo clocks, novelty clocks from Germany, wall clocks, mantel clocks, grandfather clocks, antique and pre-owned clocks, specialty clocks and classic German clock styles made by Hermle. |ret||ret||tab|

"We've doubled our floor space, which has allowed us to carry a larger selection of clocks," said Jim Driver, who co-owns the Clock Shop with his wife Sarah. "Our new location also has better visibility from the street, which should increase drive-by business."|ret||ret||tab|

Founded in 1984, the Clock Shop originally specialized in repairing time clocks used in factories and businesses. |ret||ret||tab|

Over the years, the business' focus shifted, however, and today the Clock Shop is one of a handful of businesses in the area that specialize in new and antique clock sales, service, repair and restoration. |ret||ret||tab|

Since buying the Clock Shop in 1996, the Drivers have focused on increasing clock sales. |ret||ret||tab|

Still, servicing, repairing and restoring clocks account for half of the business' income. |ret||ret||tab|

Customers who come to the Clock Shop for service, repair, or restoration work receive a flat-rate estimate. |ret||ret||tab|

However, the Drivers occasionally have to contact a customer if they realize additional work is needed.|ret||ret||tab|

"Our prices are extremely reasonable, and all of our repair work comes with a 90-day guarantee," Jim Driver said. "Servicing, repairing and restoring clocks takes skill, and it takes time. Sometimes I'll underestimate how long it will take me to fix something, but I still charge the price I quoted the customer. Other times, I'll start fixing a clock, and I'll realize that other things need to be serviced or repaired. When that happens, I'll call the customer and ask if they want the additional work done."|ret||ret||tab|

Although most customers bring their clocks to the shop to be serviced, other clocks, such as grandfather clocks, must be serviced and repaired on site. |ret||ret||tab|

Each morning, Jim Driver travels to the homes of customers located within a 60-mile radius of Springfield. After this work is completed, he returns to Springfield and opens the Clock Shop at 10 a.m. |ret||ret||tab|

"A lot of people wonder why I don't open the shop earlier," he said. "I can't open it any earlier and still make house calls."|ret||ret||tab|

Being the shop's sole full-time employee can be both challenging and taxing. However, Driver's wife Sarah, who works part-time as a registered nurse, puts in her share of extra hours at the shop servicing and repairing cuckoo clocks. She also spends a great deal of time searching for antique and pre-owned clocks, which are repaired, restored and later sold at the shop or on the shop's Web site at |bold_on|www.ozarkclockshop.com|ret||ret||tab|

"Having a Web site has helped us increase business," Jim Driver said. "If we have an antique or pre-owned clock that doesn't sell at our shop, we usually can sell it on our Web site. Establishing a Web site also has allowed us to sell new clocks to customers who can't find a particular clock in the area where they live." |ret||ret||tab|

Although the Web site has helped increase clock sales, the Drivers said they plan to focus on their brick-and-mortar shop during the coming weeks. In fact, bringing business to the Clock Shop's new location is a primary focus these days. |ret||ret||tab|

"We're always busy through the holiday season," Jim Driver said. "I think our new location will help us attract more customers, particularly now that we've increased our inventory."|ret||ret||tab|

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