On the Edges

Nixa

Insurance agency moves

The Banta-Benham & Associates Insurance Agency has moved to 916 W. Mt. Vernon St. (Hwy. 14) in the Stone Crest Plaza. The company was located at 106 S. Main St. for seven years. It moved on April 24 and held a grand opening May 18. The new 1,200 square-foot office provides better visibility and more customer parking, according to Earline Swope, co-owner and manager.

"As an independent agency, we represent numerous companies, including Allstate Insurance, Auto-Owners, Cameron Mutual, SafeCo and Allied Insurance," Swope said.

Kathy Staudt and Marvin Kampe also work in the Nixa office. Jack and Earline Swope, who have been in the insurance business in Christian County for 25 years, own the firm. The company also has locations in Forsyth, operated by Jack Swope, and in Marshfield, owned and operated by Kerry and Mary Proctor.

New businesses open in Nixa

The city of Nixa recently granted five new business licenses to the following firms: D. L. Perkins Wholesale, 407 Slim Wilson Blvd., 724-2146, D.L. Perkins, owner. Elite Petite Dog Grooming, 108 E. Mt. Vernon St., 725-8212, Betty J. and Ronald Bryant, owners. Healing & Health Haven, 123 Main St., 724-2787, Wayne Oehlke, owner. K&C Vending, 701 Dyann Dr., 725-1641, Kenny and Cathy Stewart, owners.

Missouri Rustbusters, 601 E. Mt. Vernon St., 725-8073, Earl Brown, owner.

Ozark

New Dairy Queen opens

Hot eats and cool treats are now being dished out at the new Dairy Queen Brazier, located at 761 N. 17th St., at the Hwy. 65 and 14 interchange. The 2,000-square-foot restaurant opened May 1, according to owner Ed Leonard. The general contractor was Royal Construction Co. of Republic and features Dairy Queen's new store design. It seats 60 people inside and will add outside tables in the future. A drive-up window offers to-go ice cream treats and food such as burgers, fries and chicken strips.

Leonard said that the restaurant offers a "smoke-free family atmosphere. We play Christian music in the dining room from a satellite service," he said. Dairy Queen in Ozark is open 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday. Heather Penrod is the general manager and Sonjia Wright is the store manager. They initially hired 50 people, mostly part-time employees to staff the restaurant's opening, but Leonard said that number will go down. Ice cream custom cake decorating is also available.

"Ozark is one of the fastest-growing communities in Christian County and it had no Dairy Queen. I saw the need there," Leonard said. A billboard for Branson-bound traffic will alert travelers to the new restaurant. Leonard also owns the Dairy Queen at 4150 S. Campbell Ave. in Springfield.

Care center adding on

Ozark Residential Care Center, 4449 State Hwy. NN, is in the process of adding 1,872 square feet to its residential care facility. The first phase will add four semi-private rooms, two apartments and a dining room for 30 people. The residential care center provides 24-hour nursing care, laundry, housekeeping and all meals.

The contractor is Roger Decker of K.C. Construction. The facility is owned by Americare Properties, Inc. and is one of four in the Springfield area. It is currently licensed for 34 beds, and the addition will add 22 more beds. A second phase will add 12 independent living apartments later this summer, according to Betty Hudson, administrator. The one-bedroom apartments are in a four-plex arrangement and each offers a kitchen, living room, housekeeping services and meal service.