Open for Business: NRA National Sporting Arms Museum

NRA National Sporting Arms Museum
In a partnership with Bass Pro Shops and the National Rifle Association, the National Sporting Arms Museum opened Aug. 2 at the retailer’s flagship store, 1935 S. Campbell Ave. In 7,500 square feet of donated space designed and built by Bass Pro, the second-floor museum showcases 1,000 firearms. Galleries in the multimillion-dollar collection include firearms owned by presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower and Grover Cleveland; original Remington Arms Co. prototypes and oil paintings of classic advertisements; Civil War handguns and Old West six-guns; and a Hollywood exhibit with guns used by John Wayne and Tom Selleck. Bass Pro Communications Director Tammy Sapp said museum plans started 10 years ago following founder Johnny Morris’ visit to the NRA museum in Fairfax, Va. “It allows us to share that history of conservation and hunting with a very broad audience,” Sapp said. “That’s the goal of NRA and Bass Pro Shops.” Sapp said the NRA, led by museum Director Jim Supica, provided the firearms and text in exhibit storylines. Bass Pro employee Stoney Roberts, a former area banker, manages the museum with a staff of six. Admission is free. Hours: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. daily. Phone: (417) 873-5000. Web: BassPro.com/nramuseum

EllisonLiggett Litigation Consultants
Former KPM CPAs PC employees Larry Ellison and Brooke Liggett on Aug. 1 formed EllisonLiggett Litigation Consultants to provide litigation support and business valuations. Operating in a temporary office at 3315 E. Ridgeview St., the accounting partners have signed a long-term lease with Martin Properties at 2832 S. Ingram Mill Road, Ste. 108. Ellison said the firm plans to move to Ingram Mill by November. Joining Ellison and Liggett is fellow former KPM staff member Aaron Luebbe, who is working as a litigation analyst. Targeting clients in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois and Arkansas, services include calculation of damages from personal injury and wrongful death matters, as well as commercial fraud and partner disputes. Ellison is a former KPM shareholder who worked nearly 17 years at the firm, and Liggett brings with her more than 11 years of service as a KPM manager. Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone:a (417) 882-1566. Web: EllisonLiggett.com

Trolley’s Park Central Pub
A year after opening, RyMac’s Rub n’ Pub at 107 Park Central Square changed its name Aug. 16 to Trolley’s Park Central Pub. Now under new management, Rob Evans and Stacy Durst took over operations June 1 and are in the process of buying out owner Ryan MacDonald, Durst said. After opening as Trolley’s on the heels of Springfield banker Aaron Buerge’s appearance on ABC’s “The Bachelor” in 2002, the restaurant space transitioned to The Flying Tomato in September 2011. MacDonald, who had served as Trolley’s manager, gained ownership of the bar and grill in February 2011, when Buerge filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. Durst said few changes are planned with the new name, though she noted menu additions such as smoked ribs and homemade brisket and minor decor improvements are in place. Hours: 11–1:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and noon–midnight Sunday. Phone: (417) 799-0309. Web: TrolleysPub.com

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