Open for Business: Mad Bear Fitness Equipment

Mad Bear Fitness Equipment and Play It Again Sports are sharing space at 1300 E. Battlefield Road. Jeff Salyers and Jeff Newlin (pictured left to right is Salyers, Mad Bear manager Mark Russell and Newlin), owners of Mad Bear Fitness and the Play It Again franchise, opened the combo store Nov. 1. Newlin said 4,000 square feet of the 12,000-square-foot former Fremont Theatre is devoted to Mad Bear Fitness Equipment. He retained all staff members. Because foot traffic was greater at Play It Again, Newlin said the move allows a lot more people to see the Mad Bear products, which were housed at 3213 S. Campbell Ave.

Primrose Marketplace is home to three new national tenants with Bed, Bath & Beyond (opened Oct. 15), Marshalls (opened Oct. 24) and Borders Books Music Caf (opened Nov. 2). The trio of stores occupies the former Builders Square space at 3300 S. Glenstone Ave. Combined renovations of the 80,000-square-foot building, according to building permits filed with the city of Springfield, totaled more than $2 million. About 200 people are employed between the three retailers.

While You're Away home and pet sitting services opened for business Oct. 28. Owners Jeff and Kristin Etem provide care for pets while pet owners are away from home. Also available are security checks for homes and businesses. The Etems work by appointment and offer free initial consultations.

Panache Women's Boutique, which sells clothing for women ages 20 to 45, opened for business Oct. 1 at 1308 E. Republic Road. Owner Angelique Lotterer said clothing from sizes 2 to 14, shoes, purses and custom-made jewelry by local artist Tammy Kirks of Red Bee Designs are available at the shop. Other features include evening fashion shows and special size ordering. Panache is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.