Open for Business

John Q. Hammons opened Residence Inn by Marriott on March 22 at 3128 E. Hammons Blvd. in Joplin. The hotel features 114 suites on four floors, according to General Manager Bert Haifley. The extended-stay hotel caters to guests who stay five or more days. Each room is 50 percent larger than a normal hotel room and includes kitchenettes with ovens, refrigerators and dishwashers. The facility has an indoor hot tub, an outdoor pool, and basketball, volleyball and tennis courts. Every Wednesday evening, the hotel has a barbecue with chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs. The hotel also has two meeting rooms totaling 880 square feet. One-bedroom suites cost $114 a night, and two-bedroom suites, which include a gas fireplace, cost $149 a night. Phone: (417) 782-0908.

Joy Filled Critters

Martin and Tonya Sanders and Bill and Christi Hare opened Joy Filled Critters on April 15 at 1010 S. Madison St., Ste. L, in Joplin. The store, a locally owned toy-stuffing venue, employs four. Tonya Sanders said the business started last July with a mobile stuffing machine that the owners took to fund-raisers, birthday parties and school carnivals. Joy Filled Critters offers more than 30 types of animals to choose from with an assortment of clothing, shoes and accessories in which to dress the stuffed animals. The facility also has a room for birthday parties. Stuffed animals range from $9.49 to $18.99. Hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Phone: (417) 673-8440.

People Link Staffing Solutions

William and Jay Wilkinson opened People Link Staffing Solutions on May 8 at 420 N. Range Line Road in Joplin. The office, which employs two, provides staffing for industrial and administrative needs, said Connie Andrews, branch manager. Andrews said the South Bend, Ind.-based company has certain guidelines it follows before hiring an individual. Cost of services depends on the position and the length of time the individual is with the company. Andrews said the average markup is 35 percent to 50 percent per hour. Andrews said the company rents the 1,500-square-foot office in the Chase Colton Plaza from Morton Booth; it is the first People Link Staffing Solutions in Missouri. Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: (417) 624-8833.

Contact Cory Smith with your Open for Business submissions. He may be reached by e-mail, by fax at (417) 799-0603 or by phone at (417) 831-3238.