425 Downtown Banquet center 425 Downtown hosted its first event in November, a month after renovations were completed to the 95-year-old 425 W. Walnut St. building. Matt Krupa and Krupa Enterprises Inc. own 425 Downtown and lease the space from property owner Curtis Jared. The building was gutted to replace the electrical wiring, plumbing, and heating and air conditioning while maintaining the building’s original brick and 90 percent of its wood floors, Krupa said. “(Jared) did some competitive analysis and realized there was a need for a banquet center in Springfield that could be used by several different vendors,” said Krupa, who also owns two Pasta Express restaurants in Springfield. Rental costs for the 4,600-square-foot space are $1,500 for Friday or Saturday nights, $750 for Sunday and $500 for weekdays. The space can hold up to 247 people, and has a built-in bar, prep kitchen, and sound and audiovisual systems. Krupa works with any caterer, but Five Star Catering is the preferred food service. 425 Downtown also offers bartending services, linen services and party planning for additional charges. Hours: Available as needed. Phone: (417) 888-3025.
Missouri Alliance For Children & FamiliesThe Missouri Alliance For Children & Families moved Oct. 30 to 630 W. Kearney St., occupying a portion of the former Jordan Valley Health Center near the intersection of Kearney and Grant. MACF worked for two years from the Vandivort Centre, 305 E. Walnut St., helping mostly teens get into family foster homes. Jolie Brooke, the alliance’s foster care development specialist, said MACF is a for-profit business with revenues coming from the children’s division of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services on a contract basis for each child processed through the alliance. Profits are reinvested into MACF’s nine owner agencies including Boys and Girls Town, YouthBridge Association, Missouri Baptist Children’s Home, Children’s Foundation of Mid-America and Provident. MACF leases the Kearney office from Children’s Foundation of Mid-America Inc., formerly Presbyterian Children’s Services. Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: (417) 865-1777.
Florentina’s Italian RestauranteFlorentina’s Italian Restaurante opened March 22 in Branson’s former Pasta House location, 2690 Green Mountain Drive, said Paul Rasmussen, president of Branson Restaurants Inc., which also owns Montana Mike’s Steakhouse and McFarlain’s Family Restaurant. Branson Restaurants leases the 8,000-square-foot building with seating for 235. Branson chef Ron Kaleniuk developed Florentina’s recipes and menu, and a brick pizza oven has been installed, Rasmussen said. Florentina’s operates under the IMAX Entertainment Complex family of businesses that includes the IMAX Theater and Mall Complex. Hours: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Phone: (417) 335-3533.
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