Open for Business: B Plus B Boulangerie & Fair-Weather Cafe

B Plus B Boulangerie & Fair-Weather Cafe
Rountree bakery and meat shop Butcher Plus Baker LLC at 607 S. Pickwick Ave. changed its name and business model Nov. 1 to B Plus B Boulangerie & Fair-Weather Cafe. Co-owner Katie Kring said fresh meat sales represented only a small percentage of the business since her KatieMade bakery merged in February with butcher shop A.J. Watson & Sons. Aden Watson remains co-owner but no longer works in the shop. B Plus B Boulangerie offers pastries, pies, wedding cakes, artisan breads, sandwiches, catering and baking classes. Kring said desserts are $3-$4 a serving, breads are around $6 and catering services usually run $100. A boulangerie is a French bakery that specializes in bread, while the cafe name refers to the store’s outdoor seating, she said. She runs the bakery with three part-time employees. Kring started KatieMade in 2010.

Hours: 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 12:30-4 p.m. Sunday
Phone: (417) 315-8602
Web: KatieMadeIt.com

5th Fuel Energy Solutions LLC
Operating from a home office, Tyler Lorance started 5th Fuel Energy Solutions LLC to analyze energy efficiencies in area businesses and consult on improvements toward reduced operating costs and increased profitability. Lorance filed for an LLC in February but actively began working the business in late September, he said. According to Lorance’s website, energy efficiency has been dubbed the fifth fuel – following coal, petroleum, nuclear and renewables – in order to accelerate the transition to a green-energy economy. Common energy savings are in LED lighting and solar panels. After a free energy audit, Lorance said his services cost between $2,000 and $200,000. Previously, Lorance worked with his dad Clyde Lorance to develop the Saddlebrooke master-planned community in Christian County.

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Phone: (417) 838-9758
Web: 5thFuelEnergy.com

Cox Climate Controlled Storage LLC and U-Haul
Steve Cox finished $140,000 in renovations Aug. 1 on Cox Climate Controlled Storage LLC at 221 S. National Ave. Cox has owned the 8,000-square-foot building since 2003, and after it sat empty for several years he decided to open a storage facility. Rates are $55 to $150 a month based on the size of the storage unit. Cox also uses the space as a neighborhood U-Haul dealer. With no franchise fees to join U-Haul, Cox said he keeps about 22 percent in commissions on the rental sales. Cox, who also owns Cox Collision and Dents Unlimited on South Campbell Avenue, said U-Haul provides the marketing materials, all equipment and a web presence. U-Haul vehicles start at $19 plus mileage. Currently there are two U-Haul company stores and 12 affiliates in the Springfield area. Cox employs one full-time employee and a part-timer.

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday or by appointment
Phone: (417) 633-4791
Web: CCCStorage.net