On the Edges

Aurora

Family Vision Care to open on square

Dr. Dawn Negre, optometrist, will open a new business, Aurora Family Vision Care, Aug. 30 at 320 Madison, on the square. The clinic will offer eyeglasses, comprehensive health checks, contact lenses, glaucoma testing and treatment, emergency care and vision therapy. Negre is a recent graduate of Northeastern State University College of Optometry in Tahlequah, Okla., and grew up in Cassville. Aurora Family Vision Care has leased a 2,000-plus-square-foot space and is remodeling it and making it completely accessible. One employee will be hired to assist Negre. The clinic will be open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Negre credits Aurora's location and the help of Aurora Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Coleen Foster in the decision to open her business in Aurora, which has one other optometrist. The clinic's phone number is 678-1177.

Chamber sets deadlines for festival

Booth spaces are still available for Aurora's Houn' Dawg Festival, to be held Oct. 1-2. Contests for all ages, from babies to seniors, will be held, and entry forms and fees are due Sept. 18. Other activities include the Optimist 5K run and Chili Cookoff Oct. 2. For more information, contact the chamber at 678-4150.

Nixa

alt's Boats hosts Business After Hours

Nixa area business people can network and check out the boats and products at Walt's Boats at the Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 26. Walt's is at 1421 N. U.S. Hwy. 160, at the corner of Tracker Road and Highway 160. Food and drinks will be provided.

Exotic Travel opens in business center

Exotic Tans has opened a full-service travel agency, Exotic Travel. Owned by Ray and Tammy Sientz, the business is located at Highway 160 and CC in the Plaza Drive Business Center. Tammy Sientz, CTIS, has more than 12 years of travel experience, is a recent graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge and is an instructor at Admiral Travel Academy. The company specializes in vacation planning and packages. The phone number is 724-2299.

Chamber members to exhibit in Springfield

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Business and Technology Expo is inviting members of outlying chambers to participate in its Oct. 14-16 event. Booths range from $375 to $525, and if more than 10 Nixa members exhibit, it will be designated "Nixa Row." In addition, the Springfield chamber will donate $100 to the Nixa chamber for each Nixa participant. For information, contact Larry Perney at 724-1545.

All American Rental begins business

Nixa's first appliance and furniture rental business opened July 3 at 469 N. Aldersgate Dr. in the Nixa Centre next to Wal-Mart Supercenter. It is owned by Scott Mitchell, who also owns two C&C Rental stores in Springfield. Those stores will be changing their names to All American Rental Sept. 1, according to Mitchell. The 3,000-square-foot Nixa store is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. All American Rental offers rental and purchase of home furnishings such as furniture, appliances and electronics. Mitchell said his company caters to young families, singles and people relocating to the area.

"There is no major credit approval to deal with. People with no credit use us," he said. The phone number is 724-2494.

NR Machine becomes ISO 9002 certified

NR Machine Inc., 1353 W. Snyder Blvd., has achieved the necessary quality management requirements to become ISO 9002 certified. The company was begun in March 1998 by Jack Rinker, Michael Nusbaumer and Andrew Nusbaumer.

In its first year, the machine shop has grown from two employees to six and added a second shift. In addition, Rinker has completed the ISO 9000 internal auditor course.

Republic

Republic Ford expands and remodels

A new 10,000-square-foot addition to Republic Ford was celebrated Aug. 20. The building includes additional space for service, as well as an additional $5 million in inventory of new and used vehicles, according to Mark Eaton, advertising manager.

Additional employees have been hired, bringing the total employees to more than 80 for the car dealership at 7774 U.S. Hwy. 60 in Republic. The dealership is one of five owned by Franklin Greene and Bob Beine, the others being in Carthage