Open for Business: Ouch Skate Shop

Ouch Skate Shop
A longtime employee in the software industry made a career pivot with the March 26 opening of Ouch Skate Shop, a retail venture at 302 W. South St. in Nixa centered around skateboarding. After 15 years working as a software developer and executive for companies such as Boston-based Snyk and Providence, Rhode Island-based Lullabot, owner Carwin Young said he desired to spend more time with his family after years of travelling for work. He said one of his sons began getting into skateboarding, which sparked an interest in focusing on the sport as a business concept. Young, who is the store’s lone employee, declined to disclose startup costs for the roughly 800-square-foot building he owns. Inventory at Ouch include skateboard decks, wheels, protective gear, apparel and fingerboards. Aside from selling skateboarding products, Ouch also has a half-pipe outside the building for skaters to use for free after signing a waiver. Young said he also dedicated one exterior side of the building as open to graffiti from the public.
Phone: 417-341-5130
Web: OuchSkateShop.com

Lendmark Financial Services
Nearly a year after making its Queen City debut, Lawrenceville, Georgia-based consumer finance company Lendmark Financial Services LLC extended into Christian County May 16 by adding a branch at 119 N. Massey Blvd. in Nixa. Lendmark officials declined to disclose startup costs and lease terms for its Nixa branch, which is one of the company’s 11 Missouri locations, including Columbia, Joplin and Sedalia. With more than 500 branches in 21 states, Lendmark provides household credit and consumer loan solutions, such as auto financing, debt consolidation and personal loans, according to its website. Company officials say the 1,845-square-foot Nixa branch in the Crossroads Shopping Center has three employees, including manager Robert Brigham. The 1996-founded company also provides digital offerings such as online payment options and a mobile app.
Phone: 417-374-2323
Web: LendmarkFinancial.com

RetroZone Marshfield
Family owned and operated arcade RetroZone Marshfield LLC moved Aug. 5 to the Marshfield Community Center, 118 E. Commercial St. The new home is less than a half-mile from the arcade’s original location on the downtown square at 202 S. Crittenden St., where it opened in 2018. Melanie Fraker co-owns the business with her husband, Lyndall, and their two sons, Logan and Landon. She said relocation and renovation costs were $10,000, which included installation of air-conditioning for its roughly 1,800-square-foot space. The Marshfield Community Center building, which was once the home of Marshfield Junior High School, is owned by the Frakers, after the couple purchased it for an undisclosed price in July 2022 from the Marshfield Public Schools Foundation. RetroZone includes over a dozen vintage video games, such as Asteroids and Donkey Kong, as well as pinball machines.
Phone: 417-859-4263
Web: RetroZoneMarshfield.com