Open for Business: Arlo Bank

Arlo Bank
The new home for Arlo Bank, which formed in 2024, opened to customers on Nov. 24 at 4109 S. National Ave. The branch, just south of U.S. Route 60, occupies an 8,500-square-foot building that was the former Los Cabos Mexican Grill & Cantina. Arlo Bank President and CEO Mark Bybee said the facility has 20 employees, declining to disclose the cost of the building purchase or the price tag for its renovation and infill by architectural and design firm Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective. Bybee confirmed the bank’s original downtown location at 318 South Ave. is open solely by customer appointment and would close by March 1. Arlo Bank formed through the acquisition of the century-old Systematic Savings Bank for $14 million following a $40 million capital raise. Bybee said the bank has raised enough capital to handle its growth projections for its first four to five years. He said the team has grown the bank from $60 million in assets at the time of acquisition to almost $200 million as of late December.
Phone: 417-862-5036
Web: Arlo.bank

Branson Police Department
Renovations for the new headquarters of the Branson Police Department finished in time for a Dec. 3 ribbon-cutting ceremony. The department began operations in the building Dec. 4 after moving to the site of the former White House Theatre at 1 Justice St. – previously 2255 Gretna Road. Its prior headquarters was at City Hall, 110 W. Maddux St., where officials say staff worked in approximately 9,000 square feet. At its new home, the department occupies 42,360 square feet in the former theater. Police Chief Eric Schmitt said the department employs 65 officers and around 30 civilian employees in positions such as animal control, dispatchers and records clerks. The city purchased the White House Theatre for $2.5 million in 2022. It auctioned off contents of the shuttered 65,000-square-foot theatre in 2023, with proceeds going toward renovation of the property. The remaining roughly 23,000 square feet of the building not in use will comprise future undetermined usage. Schmitt said the project cost finished at around $14.1 million.
Phone: 417-334-3300
Web: BransonMo.gov/216/Police

Chick-fil-A
Springfield’s newest Chick-fil-A restaurant opened Dec. 4 on the west side of town at 3883 W. Sunshine St. Houston Phillips, who started with Chick-fil-A as a part-time employee in 2012, is the owner-operator of the local store. Company officials say the new restaurant employs approximately 120 employees. The new 5,000-square-foot restaurant sits on a parcel that is owned by Alliance Capital Investors and leased to Chick-fil-A. The parcel is in front of Menards, and Springfield Plaza is across the street. Officials with the fast-food restaurant chain declined to disclose startup costs or lease terms. Chick-fil-A’s menu includes chicken sandwiches, wraps, breakfast items, salads, milkshakes and desserts, such as brownies and cookies. According to its website, the West Sunshine Chick-fil-A is the company’s sixth location in Springfield. It also has two area restaurants in Branson.
Phone: 417-450-4339
Web: Chick-fil-A.com