Evolution of an Enterprise, Chapter 13: Solid Jobs

Refinishing concrete countertops isn’t the most glamorous work for design studio theworkshop 308 LLC, but it’s solid money.

Proprietors Jason Mitchell and Michael Mardis were hired by development firm Matt Miller Co. to refinish concrete countertops in one loft apartment in the Founders Park building, 331 E. Water St.

The job is worth only $350, but it could be parlayed into more lucrative deals. Matt Miller Co. already owns lofts at Founders Park and Wilhoit Plaza and is planning to build lofts in downtown Springfield’s $12 million Brick City development and in downtown Joplin’s Christman Building.

Todd Slack, project manager for Matt Miller Co., said loft owners like concrete countertops, and Mitchell and Mardis could earn a lot more work if they do a good job on this small refinishing job.

Mitchell and Mardis also have experience installing countertops. In May, they’re slated to install concrete countertops in the St. Louis residence of Mitchell’s cousin, Carrie Ames. That’s a $2,000 job.

“I can see this turning into something pretty good for these guys,” Slack said.

Staying busy

Four months into business, most of Mitchell’s and Mardis’ time is consumed with furniture design and construction.

The duo already has furniture on display at Staxx Apparel, 331 South Ave., and they’re building a dozen more pieces to display in their own office, 308 W. Commercial St. They’ll unveil those pieces – likely priced between $200 and $800 – May 4, in conjunction with First Friday Art Walk. The Staxx pieces are priced between $350 and $1,400.

They’re also near an agreement to build booths and a front counter for a new tattoo parlor, Prix Tattoo, slated to open in late May in downtown Springfield.

That job is a go, assuming a fee can be agreed upon, according to Prix Tattoo owner Erin Hicks, who is an interior designer for architecture firm Butler, Rosenbury & Partners.

“We have a lot of the same design styles,” she said, noting that she was impressed with past examples of theworkshop’s designs.

There are other proposals floating around.

Ian and Rachel VanHover, a young married couple, are still interested in having Mitchell and Mardis design a cutting-edge, environmentally friendly home for them, though that won’t happen until at least next year. Mitchell and Mardis also have submitted a home design to Chris Lazzarro, who is interested in building in Fair Grove.

Mitchell and Mardis, in conjunction with architecture firm Dake-Wells Architecture Inc., have offered to design an automatic car wash in Springfield for a Kansas City couple, though that project has been shelved for the time being.