Open for Business

Arvest Bank

Cynthia Cole is branch manager for Arvest Bank at 5601 Gretna Road in Branson. This full-service location opened Jan. 3 – eight months after Arvest opened its first Branson location at Branson Landing. Bentonville, Ark.-based Arvest Holdings Inc., which has $8 billion in assets, operates more than 200 locations in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas, with two additional branches planned for the Branson area, according to market President Greg Baker. Baker said Arvest is interested in expanding into Springfield but has no plans to do so currently. Arvest Holdings CEO Jim Walton is a son of late Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. Lobby hours: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday. Drive-through hours: 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday. Phone: (417) 243-4400.

Planet Smoothie

Jay and Kristen Hickman are franchisees for Planet Smoothie, which opened Jan. 26 at 431 S. Jefferson Ave., Ste. 104, in the Wilhoit Plaza building. Planet Smoothie offers smoothies – blended drinks, which could have fruit, protein powder or other ingredients such as peanut butter. There are 150 Planet Smoothie locations nationwide, with another 50 slated to open this year, according to Jay Hickman. This is the first Springfield location for Atlanta-based Planet Smoothie, which was established in 1995. Meanwhile, the Hickmans have their hands in several other business ventures. They co-founded Ernie Biggs Chicago Style Dueling Piano Bar in 2003. There are Ernie Biggs locations in Springfield and Little Rock, Ark., and one planned to open this spring at Branson Landing. They are also opening a lounge called Parlor 88, set to open in June in new south-side strip center Gallery Eleven. Planet Smoothie hours: 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Saturday and noon–7 p.m. Sunday. Phone: (417) 866-2121.

J. Hopkins & Associates

Broker John Hopkins relocated J. Hopkins & Associates on Oct. 21. He moved his real estate firm into a custom-built, environmentally friendly office building at 1872 S. Country Hill Lane after more than 15 years of working from home. J. Hopkins & Associates has seven agents and specializes in rural properties, according to agent Esther Hopkins, who is Hopkins’ daughter. Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: (417) 883-3000.

Reporter Cory Smith brings you new businesses each week. He may be reached by e-mail, by fax at (417) 799-0603 or by phone at (417) 831-3238.