Open for Business

The Hawthorn Park Hotel at 2431 N. Glenstone Ave. opened under the Doubletree Hotel flag April 23. O’Reilly Hospitality LLC, headed up by Springfield’s O’Reilly family, spent $9 million in renovations after purchasing the property at Glenstone Avenue and Kearney Street in 2006. They landed the Hilton-brand Doubletree franchise last fall. Director of Sales Mary Wise said the hotel’s 201 rooms feature flat-screen TVs, MP3-compatible clock radios, free Wi-Fi, down bedding, granite-countertop vanities and Wolfgang Puck coffee. Room rates range from $129 to $169; corporate and group rates are available, Wise said. A 10-story atrium offers a dining area and lounge, and a bamboo-landscaped water feature. Meeting space comprises 10,000 square feet, including a 4,100-square-foot ballroom seating up to 350 people, and there is a 24-hour business center, Wise added. A Houlihan’s restaurant is slated to open next month. Phone: (417) 831-3131.

Allstate Insurance Co.

Darren Melugin opened an Allstate Insurance Co. office March 1 at 1031 E. Battlefield Road. The agency sells auto, property and life insurance, and financial services, including mutual funds and annuities. Melugin, who has experience leading nonprofits and churches – most recently in Michigan – shares office space and a staff member with fellow Allstate agent Michael Kellermann. Melugin is a Baptist Bible College pastoral studies graduate, and he returned to Springfield earlier this year. He also serves as interim pastor of Living Waters Church in Nixa. Allstate Corp. (NYSE: ALL) insures approximately 17 million households through nearly 15,000 exclusive agencies and financial representatives in the United States and Canada, according to its Web site. Hours: 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: (417) 823-4800.

Liberty Bank

Liberty Bank opened its sixth Springfield branch May 5 at 2423 W. Republic Road. Rhonda Rosser, who joined Liberty Bank in January, manages the new location, while Kimberly Bussard, who joined the bank in March, is assistant manager. The 13-year-old Springfield-based bank, which has built a niche in small-business lending, operates 17 branches in 11 cities. Lobby hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m.–noon Saturday. Drive-through hours: 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Friday, and 8 a.m.–noon Saturday. Phone: (417) 881-6200.

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