Open for Business

Artist Susan Sommer-Luarca relocated her downtown gallery Dec. 7, moving it less than a block north of her former location. Susan Sommer-Luarca Fine Art Gallery & Frame Shoppe moved to 3,300 square feet of ground-floor space in the Kresge building at 221 Park Central South after operating for about three years in about the same amount of space on the second floor of 315 South Ave. She relocated the gallery primarily because the first-floor space gives better visibility to her work, according to her husband and manager, E.J. Luarca. The gallery exclusively carries Sommer-Luarca’s artwork – primarily of wildlife and athletics, including an official Beijing 2008 Olympics piece – ranging from pencil sketches to oil paintings. Originals sell for about $15,000 to $25,000. Most of the artwork displayed is “framed, limited-edition, hand-embellished giclée prints” that range from $600 to $1,600, Luarca said. Hours: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Phone: (417) 866-4278.

American Glass

American Glass and Aluminum Inc. moved Dec. 10 to 2801 N. LeCompte Ave. American Glass, which manufactures, repairs and installs custom glass for residential and commercial uses, had operated for seven years from 3737 E. Evergreen St., said President Aaron Day. The new location has 20,700 square feet versus 14,500 square feet at the old location. Day said some popular products for American Glass are windows, mirrors and shower enclosures. American Glass has 23 employees in Springfield and another two in Marshfield. Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: (417) 866-8361.

Allstate Insurance Co.

Matt Molica opened an Allstate Insurance Co. office Dec. 18 at 3530 S. National Ave. The agency is the 17th Allstate office in Springfield, according to the company’s Web site, www.allstate.com. Molica sells auto, property and life insurance. Northbrook, Ill.-based Allstate was founded in 1931 as part of Sears, Roebuck & Co. Now, Allstate has about 13,600 agents serving about 17 million customers throughout the United States and Canada. Hours: 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: (417) 882-4646.

Reporter Cory Smith brings you new businesses each week. He may be reached by e-mail at csmith@sbj.net, by fax at (417) 799-0603 or by phone at (417) 616-5854.