Open for Business: Fire House Coffee Bar

Retired fire chief Don Vickers and his wife, Carol, (pictured) opened Fire House Coffee Bar Jan. 6 at 1281 E. Republic Road. The Vickers, who moved here from Hobbs, N.M., have given the coffee shop a firehouse theme, using many items from Don Vickers' personal collection. The business is a retirement investment tool, Don Vickers said. He is looking to add another location in north Springfield later this year. "Hopefully this is the first of at least two," he said. The shop sells Lavazza Italian coffees and pastries, featuring kringles, authentic Danish pastries. It is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.

It's Just Lunch!, a lunch dating service for professionals, opened for business Dec. 9. Angela Stephens, who also owns A. Stephens & Associates, an executive search firm for the health care industry, brought the San Diego-based franchise to Springfield after seeing it in St. Louis and Chicago. "It's almost like being a recruiter for somebody's personal life," Stephens said. Stephens and her staff, Kristi Uzzell and Stacy Hord, interview candidates in their office at 3236 E. Ridgeview St., before arranging the lunch dates. Office hours are 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and interviews are conducted by appointment. Nationwide It's Just Lunch! has more than 25,000 clients in 40 locations.

Liberty Tax Service opened Jan. 13 at 326 Commercial St. for the tax season. Franchise owners Megan Sevey, Eric McCleery and Gary Sevey have another office at 853 S. Glenstone Ave., which opened last year. The Commercial Street office is a seasonal office and will be open through April 15, Megan Sevey said. It is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday during tax season. Liberty Tax Service headquarters are in Virginia Beach, Va.