Merle’s Downtown Merle’s Hot Dog Emporium moved Oct. 15 to 431 S. Jefferson Ave., Ste. 172, the former Lili’s Diner location in Wilhoit Plaza, and changed its name to Merle’s Downtown, said co-owner Susie Wolfe. Moving from 319 E. Walnut St., Wolfe and her husband, Gerald, signed a three-year lease for $3,500 a month at the new site, which quadruples seating capacity to 107. With the larger space, the Wolfes added a game room with a pool table and pinball machines. The menu still features the nine-year-old restaurant’s specialty hot dogs and now offers new items such as hamburgers, fried shrimp and chicken tenders. Susie Wolfe sells her baked goods at Merle’s Downtown, as well as at other establishments including Leong’s Asian Diner and Mudhouse. Hours: 10:30 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Phone: (417) 862-3902.
Aquasports Inc. Don and Vickie Peterson sold Aquasports Inc., 5601 S. Campbell Ave., Ste. 101, on Jan. 7 for an undisclosed amount to Omaha, Neb.-based scuba and swim center DiVentures. Owned and operated by the Petersons for 32 years, Aquasports offers scuba training, swim lessons and lifeguard courses. Don Peterson said the acquisition will double the store’s scuba inventory and bring in additional swim lessons. Construction has begun on a second indoor pool, Peterson said, adding that he and his wife will stay active in the management of Aquasports. Peterson said an on-site manager would be hired to allow him to focus on outside sales such as for colleges and camp programs, he said. Mark Roberts and Dean Hollis opened DiVentures store and scuba/swim center in May 2010, offering scuba training; equipment sales, rental and repair; swim lessons; dive trips; water aerobics and safety classes; and pool parties. Hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday. Phone: (417) 883-5151.
Pressure Tech LLC Brad Burwell and Brian Pithers on Nov. 1 moved Pressure Tech LLC to 4675 21st St., Ste. A, in Ozark. Established in the co-owners’ homes in 2008, the company performs commercial cleaning, sewer jetting, concrete power washing and pavement re-striping for about 300 clients, including Conco Quarries, Hardee’s, FedEx and McDonald’s. Burwell works in wholesale food sales at Springfield Grocer Co., and Pithers, a former general manager at Interstate Batteries, works on their venture full time. Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: (417) 818-9262. [[In-content Ad]]
