Open for Business: Iron Knights Strafford

Iron Knights Strafford
Looking to fill a void in the community, a Springfield couple on June 29 launched 24-hour fitness center Iron Knights Strafford. Located at 307 E. Old Route 66, Ste. A, in Strafford, the gym is the realization of a multiyear dream of Josh Huskey, who co-owns the business with girlfriend Charley Steele. Iron Knights Strafford shares a name with Iron Knights Fitness Center in Buffalo. Steele said Huskey’s cousin, Chad Garner, and Garner’s wife, Megan, who own Iron Knights Fitness Center, “were gracious to allow us to use the name Iron Knights.” Steele said the couple worked with Moreno Group Commercial Realty President Caleb Moreno to find the 4,000-square-foot space they’re leasing for undisclosed terms. Declining to disclose startup costs, Steele said she and Huskey are the sole employees. The gym has 24/7 access, cardio equipment, free weights and weight stack machines, personal training and tanning. Single memberships are $25 per month, she said, with an option to add a member for $15 monthly and $5 day passes.
Phone: 573-217-9206
Email: ironknightsstrafford@gmail.com

Meridian Title Co.
Springfield-based Meridian Title Co. LLC made its debut in Mount Vernon with the Aug. 1 opening of an office at 209 S. Main St. Dee Wilson, chief sales officer for the title company, said the building near the town square formerly housed a pawnshop and video game store. Meridian Title owner Jeremy Burcham said startup costs were around $60,000, though he declined to disclose the five-year lease rate he signed with building owners Jason and Tara Prater. The new office isn’t the company’s first in Lawrence County, as Meridian Title also has locations in Aurora and Monett. The roughly 1,000-square-foot office is currently staffed by a single employee, but Burcham said the company does centralized work out of the county and will rotate staff from Aurora and Monett when needs arise. The title company also opened its second office in Arkansas in August. Burcham said the Rogers, Arkansas, office puts Meridian Title’s location count to around 40, adding the company is seeking offices beyond its three-state footprint of Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas.
Phone: 417-316-6200
Web: MTC.llc

Render Flooring
An Aug. 27 ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in conjunction with the grand opening of Render Flooring LLC at 1435 S. Enterprise Ave. Husband and wife Taylor and Nicole Hendrick own the new venture, which offers a selection of flooring products for residential and commercial properties. Nicole Hendrick said the 4,000-square-foot facility includes a showroom and warehouse and fills space formerly occupied by John Marion Custom Homes LLC, which is nearby at 1447 S. Enterprise Ave. She declined to disclose startup costs or lease terms. Formerly involved in real estate investments, Hendrick said the couple struggled to find appropriate flooring for their properties. In the process, she said they discovered a passion for flooring that led them to start their business, which sells wall and floor tile, hardwoods, laminate, vinyl and carpet, and also offers materials and installation services. Render Flooring also provides free project consultations.
Phone: 417-590-4433
Web: RenderFlooring.com