Children’s Foundation of Mid-America Inc.Children’s Foundation of Mid-America Inc., formerly Presbyterian Children’s Services, moved in late November to a 10,000-square-foot 630 W. Kearney St. location. According to Jamie Fowler, regional development director of the foundation’s Regional Girls’ Shelter, the name was changed “to make the public aware that all faiths and walks were served.” The building was purchased for $750,000 from Jordan Valley Community Health Center, and Fowler said a capital campaign is under way to raise the money to pay off the building, retire the debt and create an endowment for upkeep. CFMA houses The Children’s Center, the organization’s five-year-old foster care management arm that employs 16 professional foster care case managers. The agency leases space to the Missouri Alliance for Children and Families and has 2,500 square feet of unused space. Before the move, some CFMA case managers worked in a 500-square-foot converted garage. Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: (417) 862-9634
Apricot Lane Boutique National franchise fashion boutique Apricot Lane opened April 30 in Battlefield Mall, 2825 S. Glenstone Ave. The boutique features apparel, jewelry, handbags, accessories and gifts. “We normally only buy six pieces of one item,” said area franchisee Tracy Boyce, who last year opened an Apricot Lane at Branson Landing. “If you don’t buy it the first time you’re in here, you’re probably not going to get it.” Boyce signed a 10-year lease for the 1,600-square-foot space for $7,500 a month with mall owner Simon Properties. Boyce said she used retirement savings to buy the franchise, which costs $25,000 for the first store and $15,000 for each additional. “I got tired of watching my retirement dwindle in the stock market and decided to take a risk,” said Boyce, who had worked for her husband’s Branson company, Tom Boyce Excavating Inc. Hours: 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday. Phone: (417) 877-1900.
Designs by Juliette LLCJuliette Magers formed Designs by Juliette LLC and in February began selling the sterling-silver necklaces on the Web and at Manoli’s Jewelers, 2700 S. Glenstone Ave. Among the items she designs is a necklace clasp that is intended to keep multiple chains of different lengths from tangling. Once Magers had the idea for the clasp, she called on her son to develop the Web site, www.thecasinicollection.com. Magers said the initial investment was minimal. “We’ve gotten by on a shoestring,” she said. “Once the (clasp) design was made, we paid a company to make a mold. It took two tries, about $500. We didn’t want to get a business loan until we were sure it would go.” Magers said she has an agreement to lease space inside Manoli’s later. Phone: (417) 887-8560.
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