Midwest Technical Institute Inc.Springfield, Ill.-based Midwest Technical Institute Inc. on Oct. 1 opened its sole Missouri campus at 3600 S. Glenstone Ave., the former Circuit City building. MTI spokeswoman Sarah May said 15 employees staff the vocational school that targets training in mechanical trades and health care. Campus Director
Paul Schaefer said employment would increase as enrollment grows; average campus enrollment is 300 to 350 students. MTI signed a 10-year lease with an option for a 10-year extension with Warren Davis Properties; the 40,000-square-foot building had been vacant since Circuit City closed in November 2008. Architecture firm Esterly, Schneider & Associates Inc. drew up the renovations by contractor Adam Pyle and Associates LLC. Classes are scheduled to begin Jan. 14, offering workforce training in welding, heating and air conditioning, medical and dental assistance, and cosmetology. The average course length for the school’s programs is nine months, and the average tuition cost is $14,000, Schaefer said. MTI also operates campuses in East Peoria, and Moline, Ill. Hours: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday. Phone: (417) 227-4950. Web:
MidwestTech.eduPlateau Fly Shop LLCRoughly two months after Backcountry Outfitters closed at 2863 S. Campbell Ave., business partners
Mike Manzardo,
Ashley Grove and
Jim Stouffer opened Plateau Fly Shop LLC on Nov. 12 in the same space. The trio invested $150,000 to purchase Backcountry’s inventory as well as new products such as Sage rods, Abel reels, and Simms waders and boots, said Stouffer, who runs Plateau Fly Shop with one part-time employee. Under MMW Properties LLC, Manzardo owns the retail center that houses the fly fishing shop and its 1,400-square-foot showroom. Stouffer said Manzardo and Grove contacted him when Backcountry indicated it was vacating the space, and the three agreed to go in together. Stouffer said the store carries 100 fly rods, reels, a full wall of fly tying materials, rain jackets, waste packs and chest packs, duffle bags and other items to outfit fly fishermen chasing area trout, gar, carp, stripers and small-mouth bass. Fly-tying classes are scheduled to begin early next year, he said. Hours: 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday through Christmas. Phone: (417) 889-6548.
Ronald McDonald HouseRonald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks Inc. added its second living quarters facility for families with seriously ill or injured children who travel to Springfield for medical treatment. On Nov. 30, Ronald McDonald House opened on the sixth floor of the children’s hospital at Mercy Hospital Springfield. The latest, dubbed Mercy House, was funded through private and corporate donations. RMHC President and CEO
Bonnie Keller said DeWitt & Associates served as general contractor for the roughly $1.65 million project. According to the nonprofit’s website, families are charged $7 per night, and Keller said the 8,200-square-foot house’s 10 bedrooms are currently occupied. The charity’s other Ronald McDonald House in Springfield is on East Primrose Street near CoxHealth. Hours: 24 hours daily. Phone: (417) 820-0764. Web:
RMHCOzarks.orgSend new business info to sbj@sbj.net.
