Megerian Rug Co.Heather Elmer Reynolds reopened Megerian Rug Co. on Feb. 8 at Copperstone Place five years after her family closed the 75-year-old Oriental rug shop. Reynolds previously owned Megerian Rug with her mother, Voncille Elmer, and she worked in project management for DCI Construction the last 18 months. “I just missed the rug store,” Reynolds said, adding she reconnected with importers and went to market in January. Reynolds, whose grandfather Vahan Megerian started the business in 1934, said startup costs were $20,000. She signed a two-year lease at 4121 S. Fremont Ave., Ste. 116, just around the corner from Megerian’s previous location, for an undisclosed amount. Prices at the 1,400-square-foot store range from a $45 floor mat to a $6,000 hand-knotted room-size rug. The only employee, Reynolds said the rugs are handmade in India, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Armenia and Iran. Hours: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday and by appointment. Phone: (417) 881-8899.
Tantone Industries Inc.Tantone Industries Inc.’s six supervisory staff merged April 1 with Developmental Connections to create a 35-employee sheltered workshop for the developmentally disabled in Taney County. The staff members formerly employed by Tantone manage project work for some 40 adults with developmental disabilities at its roughly 30,000-square-foot Branson facility, 1629 E. State Highway 76. Founded in 1981 as the Taney County Board for the Developmentally Disabled and known as DevConn since 2007, Executive Director
Max Lytle said the political subdivision collects a county property tax to operate the sheltered workshop, residential facilities and related services for the care or employment of those with developmental disabilities. Lytle said Sarah Baty remains general manager at Tantone. He said the two boards merged a couple of years ago. “We’re pulling in one last loose end that fits an existing model of how we operate,” Lytle said. Hours: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Phone: (417) 334-7447. Web:
DevelopmentalConnections.com and
Tantone.orgThe Glass Guru of SpringfieldChris Allman on Feb. 11 bought the Springfield-area franchise rights for The Glass Guru of Springfield at 3101 S. Scenic Ave., Ste. D. The company specializes in the removal and prevention of moisture between window panels and also removes rotting wood and rebuilds window casings, said Allman, who purchased the franchise rights for an undisclosed amount from Clay Frisbie. Allman said Glass Guru charges on average a $49,000 franchise fee and 6 percent royalties. Since taking ownership, Allman said the company has completed about 20 jobs a week, ranging from $50 to $210 apiece. Having worked as a key accounts manager for Frito Lay in three states for 15 years and starting his own windshield repair business almost two years ago, Allman now works with three employees to cover a 25-mile radius of Springfield for Glass Guru. The Roseville, Calif.-based franchise started in 2004, and the Springfield territory opened in 2007. Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: (417) 708-1231. Web:
TheGlassGuruofSpringfield.comSend new business info to sbj@sbj.net.[[In-content Ad]]
