Franklin American Mortgage Co.Franklin American Mortgage Co. opened Oct. 5 at 1442 E. Primrose St. Branch Manager Eric Meruelo said the mortgage company employs three loan officers with room for four more. Mereulo, a mortgage banking veteran of 23 years with the last two as an OakStar Bank loan officer, joined Franklin American to open the branch. “My office is considered the retail office,” Meruelo said. “We do nothing but originate all mortgage transactions, purchases, refinances, investment properties, all (Federal Housing Administration), (Veterans Administration) conventional and (U.S. Department of Agriculture) loans.” Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday by appointment. Phone: (417) 881-1711.
Shape Shifters PilatesShape Shifters Pilates moved March 22 to the Lofts at Jordan Creek, 601 N. National, Ste. 111. “It’s very cozy,” owner Shelley Hampton said. “It’s very conducive to the calming nature of Pilates.” The new studio is a third larger than Shape Shifters’ former location, 1317 E. Republic Road. Hampton has been in the Pilates training business for 12 years, though she nearly missed her opportunity. “I was at an international fitness conference at the end of a very long day and ended up at the wrong workshop,” Hampton said. “The right workshop was all the way across the convention hall, and I was too tired to get there. So I stayed in this workshop introducing (Pilates) to fitness professionals, and we did two-and-one-half hours on the mat. At the end, I swore I’d never do that again, and I’d never think of teaching it. The next day, I moved so much differently and so much better that I couldn’t ignore the benefits.” Rates are between $15 and $54 per session. Hampton said her average group size is between three and six people. Hampton also operates Shape Shifters Pilates in Branson at 2700 Green Mountain Drive. Hours: by appointment. Phone: (417) 890-6749.
Cartoons Oyster Bar & Grill Cartoons Oyster Bar & Grill, 1614 S. Glenstone Ave., reopened in December under new ownership and management. The Springfield bar and restaurant, which closed in September, is owned and operated by Val and Inna Gladkov, with 20 employees, under American Clubs Management Inc., according to Jenny Hardie, the managing officer. American Clubs Management signed a three-year lease with an option to buy with Sunrise Property Investments LLC, Hardie said. “It was an opportunity that kind of dropped into our laps,” said Inna Gladkov, who with her husband previously worked in real estate investments. “We owned properties all over the country.” The Gladkovs have launched a new menu and Web site, www.cartoonsbar.com. The building is 7,600 square feet and features a separate 200-seat room. Gary and Rae Lynn Summers opened Cartoons in 1987. Hours: 11 a.m.–midnight Monday through Wednesday, and 11–1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Phone: (417) 889-6500.
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