Open for Business

Wickman Gardens of Springfield Inc. has acquired franchisee Wickman Gardens of Monett, located at 1089 E. Highway 60. Darrell Gamble manages the Monett facility, which includes a nursery, flower shop, gift shop and landscape materials. It is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. An open house is planned in the fall. Wickman Gardens of Springfield, 1345 S. Fort Ave., celebrated 80 years in business earlier this year, said 30-year owner Glenn Kristek (pictured). The Monett franchise was granted in 2000.

Sound Connection, a car audio and alarm sales and installation company, opened July 1 at 1208 N. Bryan St. in Nixa. Owner Chris Rush opened the family-operated shop after 10 years in the industry. His brother Tony Rush performs sales and installation duties. They also sell, custom install and service mobile video equipment and vehicle navigational systems, Chris Rush said. Sound Connection is in a 1,200-square-foot building with a showroom and two-car garage used for installations. It is open 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

More Time Outdoors Inc. opened July 10 at 3830 S. Lone Pine Ave. Co-owner and founder Travis Paquin said the business promotes outdoor activities while generating the time for customers to perform them. Fran Moncada is the co-owner and co-founder. Among its services is personal assistance in house cleaning, yard work or errands, Paquin said, which creates time for outdoor activities. "When clients are on a float trip or playing golf, we're going to have their houses cleaned and their lawns mowed and so on," Paquin said. More Time Outdoors also offers full-service campsites including tent set up, food and equipment rental. It also buys, sells and trades outdoor gear.