Open for Business

Kevin and Karie Cherry opened CheeZies Pizza on Aug. 20 at 603 S. Kimbrough, the former location of Big Fat Burrito. The couple’s restaurant, which offers a 14-inch single-topping pizza every day for $4.99, is the first franchise for the Tulsa, Okla.-based company. CheeZies Pizza has operated two Tulsa locations for two years. The Cherrys employ five at their strictly carryout restaurant near Missouri State University. Kevin Cherry, who declined to disclose financing information, said the original CheeZies Pizzas cater to working families by offering affordable carryout pizza. But, he said, “College students tend to be on a limited budget, so they need to eat cheap, also.” Hours are 11 a.m.–10 p.m. daily.

Team Media LLC

George J. Lamelza III on Sept. 1 relocated Team Media LLC to 901 E. St. Louis, Ste. 401. The company’s president and CEO moved the five-employee operation from 3170 E. Sunshine to Hammons Tower’s fourth floor because he wanted to have a presence downtown. The company started in 1995 as a computer networking enterprise called Anetweb.com and became Team Media in 2000.

The company still builds and maintains computer networks, but 60 percent of its business comes from Web hosting for clients in about 30 countries, Lamelza said. Hosting service starts at $3.99 per month and networking service is $80 per hour. Lamelza said no financing was acquired for the move. Hours are 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday through Friday with 24-hour online support available.

Jeff Parnell Tire LLC

Jeff and Nan Parnell opened Jeff Parnell Tire LLC on June 1 at 715 W. Tampa, a 4,000-square-foot space that previously housed MFA Tire and Auto. Jeff Parnell has 23 years of experience in the tire and auto service business, split between stints in Springfield and Nashville, Tenn. The five-employee shop can service seven to eight vehicles simultaneously for tires, brakes and other general repairs. Parnell said he funded the acquisition mostly out-of-pocket, though he did utilize a $10,000 U.S. Small Business Administration loan for working capital. Hours are 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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