Open for Business: El Cafecito

El Cafecito
El Cafecito LLC, a coffee shop with a Latin theme, opened Feb. 1 at 2462 S. Campbell Ave. Husband and wife Cristhian and Shanie Valdez launched the venture after accruing nearly 20 years of combined experience in the restaurant industry. The couple’s past employment includes La Paloma LLC and El Charro, said Shanie Valdez, noting she also works as part of a bilingual real estate team with Keller Williams Greater Springfield. Valdez declined to disclose startup costs or the five-year lease rate with landlord Larry Holder. She said the eight-employee shop also has a drive-thru and fills roughly 900 square feet in space formerly occupied by restaurant Asia Express LLC, which shuttered last year. Latin American coffee is among drinks at the shop, which also includes hot and cold teas, smoothies and energy drinks. Additionally, several tortas and lonches, which are types of Mexican sandwiches, are served, along with brunch items, including quesadillas, burritos and tacos. Prices range $2.50-$10.50.
Phone: 417-665-2486
Email: ElCafecito417@gmail.com

PartainMD
A medical clinic with a membership model opened Oct. 31 at 1736 E. Sunshine St., Ste. 406, in Plaza Towers. Dr. Evelyn Partain said she is the sole employee of PartainMD LLC, which she co-owns with husband Dr. Alexander Underwood. She said startup costs were $20,000 for the 700-square-foot clinic, and she signed a one-year lease for $707 per month with Springfield Property LLC. PartainMD utilizes a direct primary care model, which affords doctors the ability to have a smaller panel of patients through clinic memberships. She said membership benefits include unlimited office and telehealth visits, no extra cost for minor in-office procedures and availability for same-day and next-day appointments. Monthly memberships range $40-$85, depending on age. Family and small-business memberships also are offered. Partain, who has nine years of experience in health care, said she most recently worked at OCH Evergreen Clinic.
Phone: 417-319-6036
Web: PartainMD.com

Compass Financial
After starting five years ago as a home-based business in Nixa, Compass Financial opened its first Springfield location on Jan. 1 at 3271 E. Battlefield Road, Ste. 260. Owner Joe Fricke leads a four-employee staff at the 2,500-square-foot office, which specializes in financial services, including retirement planning, investment management and accounting services. He said office startup costs were $30,000, but he declined to disclose the rate of his four-year lease. Fricke said Compass Financial’s space in the office building, which also houses law firm Aaron Sachs & Associates PC, was previously occupied by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Fricke said his independently owned company doesn’t work off commission and instead charges clients a fee of, at most, 1.5% of assets under management. He also runs a smaller 500-square-foot office in Bentonville, Arkansas. Working remotely, Fricke travels to the Bentonville office at least once a month.
Phone: 419-986-2809
Web: CompassMo.com