Fight Game Boxing Gym Ike Stafford opened the Fight Game Boxing Gym on Feb. 1 at 3101 S. Scenic Ave., Ste. B. Stafford, who is a 30-year veteran boxing and kickboxing instructor and has competed in 27 professional fights, including a world title fight in Japan, previously owned a gym of the same name at 1338 W. Sunshine St. before taking two years off due to an operation. Stafford said the startup cost for the new gym was $4,000, and he leases the 1,750-square-foot space from Mechanical Services Inc. for $600 per month. The price of gym membership is $120 per month, Stafford said. A Little Champs class for kids ages 12 and younger is held each Saturday at 11 a.m. and costs $40 per month, Stafford said. Hours: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Phone: (417) 883-7327.
Momma Mary’s Navajo Tacos Tim Moody and Linda Moody-Ivy opened Momma Mary’s Navajo Tacos on Nov. 20 at 520 N. West Bypass. Moody said the recipe for the authentic Navajo-style tacos, which are made from Native American fry bread, was given to his mother in the early 1960s by Navajo friends. Moody, who has 15 years of experience managing restaurants, such as Dominos and Wingstop, and previously worked at JRI Industries, said the restaurant startup cost was $12,000. Moody and his sister, Linda Moody-Ivy, named the business after their mother and lease the 1,700-square-foot space from Wilhoit Properties for an undisclosed amount. Prices for Momma Mary’s range from $3.99 to $6.99, with specials for students and active military. Hours: 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Phone: (417) 869-1997.
Leslie’s Bakery and Cakes The Verdin family opened Leslie’s Bakery and Cakes on May 7 at 1915 S. Glenstone Ave. The bakery is owned by Juanita Rodriguez and Trinidad Verdin and managed by their daughter, Annabell Verdin. Annabell Verdin said the bakery, which is named for her daughter, specializes in sweetbread and tres leches cakes, aka Mexican sponge cakes, and also sells jelly rolls, Danishes, and wedding and birthday cakes. The startup cost for the bakery was at least $89,000, Annabell Verdin said. The Verdins, who previously owned a bakery in Mexico, lease the 1,500-square-foot space for $2,200 per month from Plaza Tower Center LLC. Hours: 6 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Phone: (417) 501-1017. [[In-content Ad]]
Adrianna Norris became a first-time business owner with the opening of Finley River Chiropractic; PaPPo’s Pizzeria & Pub launched its newest location; and Huey Magoo’s opened its second store in the Ozarks.
