Open for Business

Classes began Feb. 22 at Vatterott College’s new location, 3850 S. Campbell Ave. Cheryl Tilley, co-director with Jennifer Danzer, said the move from its 24,000-square-foot building at 1258 E. Trafficway was needed due to the school’s 20 percent growth in enrollment from 2003 to 2004. The new 62,598-square-foot location required about $1 million in renovations to the former Consumer’s Market. The school offers dental assistant, medical assistant, pharmacy technician, medical office assistant, information systems, CAD, computer technology and administrative applications specialist and legal assistant programs. Vatterott has 18 campuses, with seven in Missouri. Springfield campus enrollment in is 180, Tilley said. Hours are 7:15 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Taco Bell met the wrecking ball and a new store sprouted at 1348 N. Glenstone Ave. Taco Bell franchisee K-Mac Enterprises Inc. March 3 opened a new 2,400-square-foot restaurant next to the spot where its predecessor stood for about 21 years, said co-franchisee Jon Dyer. The new building is in a new design and is the first of its kind to be built in the Midwest, said Dyer, who’s stationed in Ft. Smith, Ark. Building and equipment costs totaled $775,000, Dyer said. K-Mac, founded in 1964, owns 147 restaurants – mostly KFC and Taco Bell stores – in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. The North Glenstone location has about 24 full- and part-time employees, Dyer said. Hours are 10 a.m.-3 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Sunday.
Republic Area Chamber of Commerce moved Feb. 17 to 225 U.S. Highway 60 West in Plaza Southwest Center. The new office, at about 150 square feet, is smaller than its previous space in City Hall, but it’s a more efficient use of space, said Executive Director RoseMary Middaugh, who started her new position with the chamber Jan. 31. The chamber has about 150 members and relies on volunteers to assist Middaugh, the only full-time employee. Hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and by appointment.
Notthingham Nannies opened March 1 from a home based office and will move April 1 to 218 E. Walnut, Ste. 405, in Seville Hotel. Owner Jessica Cross, with about eight years of experience as a nanny and placement counselor in Springfield and Los Angeles, acts as a screening and referral service for families in need of full-time, part-time or temporary in-home child care providers. All candidates are CPR-certified and first- aid certified, and Cross conducts criminal background checks and motor vehicle checks during the application process. The family pays placement fees, ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, and the nannies become employees of the family, not the agency, Cross said. Hours are by appointment.