Open for Business

Balls-n-Strikes opened Dec. 11 at 1275 N. Kinder in Nixa. Franchisee Randy Merryman, at left, said that this is the fourth store for the St. Louis-based chain, which offers baseball and softball training for all ages through group classes or one-on-one training, and video analysis. Merryman, who also works as a scout for the Texas Rangers, owns the 10,000-square-foot warehouse with seven indoor batting cages and two pitching mounds. He has three full-time and three part-time employees. Hours are 1-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 1-7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday.

Grooms Office Environments moved Nov. 1 to 1301 E. Montclair. President Tom Walsh said that the company needed a larger showroom after spending about 17 years at 1285 E. Montclair. The move increases the store’s size from 4,300 square feet to 6,400 square feet. The new facility is leased; Walsh declined to disclose terms. Grooms Office Environments has 23 full-time and two part-time employees. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Blondies Coffee Place opened Nov. 20 at 420 N. Main St. in Nixa. Owner Sondra Wright leases about 1,500 square feet with a drive-through window. She declined to disclose terms. Wright has seven part-time employees at the shop, which offers its specialty – crispy croissants – along with espresso, desserts and sandwiches. Hours are 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday.

Forensic Testing Services LC opened Dec. 13 at 1304 E. Republic Road, Ste. 173. Owner James Bland said that the business specializes in DNA testing, primarily for paternity tests and court investigations. He employees 12 full-time technicians and three registered nurses, who take samples, educate clients and interact with police departments. The tests, he said, are certified chain-of-custody and court admissible. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.