Open for Business: Garden Cafe

Garden Caf opened for business Oct. 1 at 4315 S. National Ave. in Aundria Plaza. It is owner Debbie Hill's (pictured) second location. She has operated the Garden Caf in Republic for about two years. Specialties are gourmet pizza, oven-baked subs and fresh salads, Hill said. She also serves daily soups and homemade cookies and cheesecakes. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. There are six employees at the 60-seat caf.

Registered architect Jeff Hindman started Hindman & Associates LLC Sept. 2 at 2576 E. Chinkapin Lane. The firm specializes in residential design and development, but also performs small commercial projects. Hindman is a Springfield native and attended Drury University Hammons School of Architecture. He has been registered in Missouri since 1994 and is a member of the American Institute of Architects. Hindman has 14 years of architectural experience, working the last three years as project architect for Farnsworth Group Inc.

The Republic Wal-Mart Supercenter opened its doors to the public Sept. 12 at 1150 U.S. Hwy 60 East, according to assistant manager Sheila Brown. The city has celebrated the opening during the past four weekends, she said, with events including live entertainment, hot-air balloon rides and giveaways. There were also racecars and monster trucks on site. The store is unique in that its exterior is in hunter green and tan colors. Only two other Supercenters are designed this way, Brown said. Republic's Chamber of Commerce requested the environmental colors because the site is also the start for some city trailheads. There are nearly 400 employees at the 158,000-square-foot store.