The Hub Bikes & Beans LLC
Springfield's Government Plaza district has a new tenant in The Hub Bikes & Beans LLC, which opened Dec. 5 at 811 Boonville Ave. The business, owned by Joe West and Jason Strother, encompasses two distinctly separate lines - one dedicated to coffee and the other specializing in BMX bikes. West said the coffee shop brews the Intelligentsia brand and various Midwest blends, including Keen Bean from Mount Vernon and Copper Canyon from Nixa. The Hub also makes espresso, frappés and smoothies. "We brew every cup by the cup. We don't do air pots," West said, adding that a pour-over method allows them to use exact amounts of coffee and water for each cup, which starts at $1.50 apiece for the local roasts. The bike shop sells complete bikes and parts, and offers service work. West said each side of the business has a distinct demographic that includes nearby city workers. "We're seeing a lot of coffee connoisseurs, or coffee geeks," he said. "On the bike side, it's been kids who attend the race track, Spokes, and Springfield Skatepark." Hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Friday, coffee shop; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday bike shop; both are open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. Phone: (417) 894-6898.
Boogie Buggy
Ron and Julie Patterson launched R&J Adventures LLC, dba Boogie Buggy, on Dec. 17. The company rents its 20-passenger E-450 Ford shuttle bus for a minimum of two hours, transporting groups for such events as weddings and out-of-town athletic games. Clients can bring their own refreshments on board, and the bus is equipped with a 40-inch DVD screen, said Ron Patterson, the company's driver and sole employee. He said his startup budget is just under $25,000, of which less than $15,000 has been spent, primarily on the bus and on Missouri Department of Transportation-required insurance. Patterson lives in Republic and previously was a motorcycle salesman in Joplin. Rentals start at $220 for the first two hours, and price quotes are available at www.boogie-buggy.com. Hours vary by booking. Phone: (417) 425-1045.
Green Engineering LLC
Jeff and Terri Green opened Green Engineering LLC in July. The home-based Springfield company provides mechanical, electrical and plumbing design services. Both Greens are graduates of the University of Missouri-Rolla and previously worked in stainless steel manufacturing. Jeff Green said startup costs were roughly $30,000, including hardware, advertising and working capital, and partial funding is from a U.S. Small Business Administration-backed loan. He said the couple is working to line up design projects for the company, which is online at www.greenengineeringmo.com. "(Since) we're small, we can be very quick and reactive to whatever's needed. We don't have all the overhead," he said. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; extended hours as needed. Phone: (417) 234-1705.
Springfield Business Journal brings you new businesses each week. Send business info by e-mail to sbj@sbj.net or by fax to (417) 799-0603.
