Open for Business

Rivals Casual Grille opened for business April 21 at 3662 S. Glenstone Ave., formerly a Charles E. Walker Realty office and a Churchill’s Coffee shop. Partners Bruce Swisshelm Sr. of Burger King and Macaroni Grill franchises, Terry Allen of Missouri State University football, and Ron Baird of law firm Baird, Lightner, Millsap & Kollar PC redeveloped the building into a sports-themed restaurant that seats 346 inside and 60 outside. General Manager Jake Smith said the idea behind Rivals is to provide a family friendly environment in which to watch or play games, similar to an ESPN Zone. A nonsmoking environment except for an outdoor patio, Rivals features a menu that outclasses typical bar food, Smith said. The 9,860-square-foot restaurant has a room of more than 25 games including air hockey and arcade games. Hours: 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.–midnight Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday. Phone: (417) 877-7995.

Bubbles

Mike Jalili opened Bubbles champagne lounge April 11 at 320 S. Patton Ave., formerly Bijan’s Under the Tower. Jalili and about 12 employees operate the 3,000-square-foot downtown lounge, which offers hors d’oeuvres and a full bar in the evenings. After selling Bijan’s restaurant in March, Jalili thought a lounge open a few nights a week was the best use of the space, which was used as a banquet room for Bijan’s. Bubbles joins Touch, Flame, Midnight Rodeo and The Boogie in the collection of the Jalili family businesses. The lounge is connected to The Boogie. Hours: 5 p.m.–1 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Phone: (417) 831-3888.

Rendezvous Coffee

The father-son team of John and Sean Fleming opened Rendezvous Coffee on March 24 at 320 Park Central West, the former home of Randy Bacon Photography. The 2,800 square-foot coffeehouse seats 120 and offers sandwiches, appetizers and desserts in addition to coffee drinks. Sean Fleming operated a coffee shop in Chesterfield Village, but thought he could find success downtown, John Fleming said. Rendezvous, which employs 20, offers WiFi access. Hours: 6 a.m.–2 a.m. Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.–midnight Sunday. Phone: (417) 868-0110.

Compiled by Stephen Herzog. Springfield Business Journal brings you new businesses each week. Send business info by fax to (417) 799-0603 or by e-mail to intern@sbj.net.