Open for Business

Bob Snell (at right), former news anchor at KSPR, opened U-Save Auto Rental April 15 at 2309 S. Campbell Ave. U-Save Auto Rental is a franchise out of Jackson, Miss., that targets the neighborhood car rental market area residents whose cars are in the repair shop or who are going on long trips. Business rentals also are a focus. The franchise has an international fleet of more than 21,000 vehicles, and 1,300 centers in North America. The hours of operation are 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The Greater Ozarks Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association moved May 29 to 425 S. Union Ave., in the Union Plaza Two building. The new office is located just one building north from the previous site and provides 1,000 square feet of storage and about 1,400 square feet of office space. "We were just needing space," said Jerry Bear, district director. All phone numbers remain the same. The nonprofit organization coordinates services for more than 650 muscular dystrophy patients in 27 southwest Missouri counties. The office is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. There are three full-time employees and numerous volunteers, Bear said.

Willard Auto Parts, an independently owned NAPA Auto Parts store, opened for business June 13 at 304 E. Jackson in Willard's East Center shopping center. Owner Ron Bower said the affiliation with the National Automotive Parts Association gives the shop access to more than 310,000 parts and accessories. If something is not in stock, he said, it can be received overnight from NAPA's Kansas City distribution center. In addition to standard parts and tools, it will also carry farm, marine, heavy duty and import parts. The store is open 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday.

by Eric Olson