Open for Business

ArtWhole Studios LLC

ArtWhole Studios gallery and workshop opened May 1 in the former Moxie Cinema space at 408 W. Walnut St. The 2,900-square-foot studio is owned and operated by Chet Burgtorf, a photographer who will showcase monthly exhibitions of his work, as well as that of other local artists; he also will host group painting sessions, which are open to the public. The venture is primarily funded by Burgtorf's studio portraiture and on-site photography. He hopes to host classes and become a studio where the work of "Springfield's underground artists" can be found. ArtWhole Studios is open by appointment. Phone: (417) 343-4450.

PuroClean Restoration Services

PuroClean Restoration Services, an emergency services franchise, opened a Springfield location on May 1. Ron and Katie Wegrzyn's branch, currently operating out of their home, is one of many that have been recently started; 76 opened in 2008, and the total for the eight-year-old PuroSystems subsidiary tops 270. In addition to restoring homes after fire or water damage, PuroClean provides mold remediation and biohazard/trauma scene cleanup. The Wegrzyns formerly worked in pharmaceutical sales and will concentrate on marketing for the company, which primarily secures business through insurance agencies. One employee specializes in on-site services, and they hope to hire three more within the year. Ron Wegrzyn estimated startup costs between $80,000 and $90,000. Services are available 24 hours. Phone: (417) 886-7876.

The Wave Wash LLC

A family that knows the water business opened The Wave Wash car wash May 1 at 1598 W. State Highway J, just east of Lambert's, in Ozark. Ryan Rook and Tom Rook, co-owners of Nixa-based Watersmith Irrigation, joined Abbi Gilmore (née Rook) in the $700,000 venture. Five bays, including the "Big Boy" for oversized vehicles and the featured "Tsunami" for automatic washing, are spread across the 3,600-square-foot lot. The family hired one employee to run the business, which is open 24 hours. Gilmore estimated they will attain profitability after the first year and said they hope to open additional locations. Phone: (417) 725-7881.[[In-content Ad]]Compiled by Katy Steinmetz. Springfield Business Journal brings you new businesses each week. Send business info by fax to (417) 799-0603 or by e-mail to sbj@sbj.net.