Open for Business: Pickles and Buns

Pickles and Buns
Pickles and Buns LLC, a food truck specializing in sliders and loaded sides, opened April 3. The venture is owned by food industry veteran Jessica Oliva, who leads the three-employee staff. She declined to disclose startup costs for the mobile eatery, which regularly serves weekend brunch at Hold Fast Brewing, 235 N. Kimbrough Ave. Oliva said Pickles and Buns also works private events and appears at various spots in Springfield during the week, such as Mitchem Tire and Wheel and Plaza Shopping Center. The menu includes a surf and turf slider, made with ground beef and sauteed shrimp, and sides of fries or tater tots with toppings. Spam and eggs, as well as a chicken and biscuit sandwich, are among the food truck’s brunch options. Prices range $6.50-$9.50, according to its website. Oliva said she remains a co-owner of downtown Springfield restaurant Tinga Tacos with Thomas Hong and Anne and Clayton Berry, and she has past managerial experience with San Francisco Oven and McAlister’s Deli.
Hours: Varies
Web: Facebook.com/picklesandbunssgf

The Kelley Agency
The Kelley family opened a Farmers Insurance office April 1 at 3051 S. Kimbrough Ave., Ste. E. Doing business as The Kelley Agency, Joshua Kelley is the owner-agent and wife Ruthie serves as business manager. Working primarily in home, auto, business and life insurance lines, he said the agency currently has about 120 clients. The family is on a three-year lease for 1,200 square feet in Kimbrough Plaza at a rate of $1,270 a month, he said. New Farmers Insurance agents have to show a capital requirement of at least $10,000, Kelley said, and office startup costs were $7,500. He is licensed to sell insurance in Missouri and Kansas. The Kelleys employ their two daughters, Sara Compton and Emma Dickinson, for marketing work, and Kyle Sharp, as a producer.
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment
Phone: 417-895-0895
Web: TheKelleyAgencyMO.com

The Sandlot Training Facility
The Sandlot Training Facility, which provides hitting, pitching and catching skill development space for baseball and softball players of all ages, launched Jan. 9 in Marshfield. The roughly 6,000-square-foot facility is at 501 McNabb Road, just off Interstate 44. Dustin Ross, who co-owns the business with wife Kari, said it was launched through FOF Consulting LLC. Ross declined to disclose startup costs, which included the building purchase from Jim Kooiman. The Sandlot, which employs five, offers individuals and teams indoor training space for rent. Rates are $12 for 30 minutes or $18 per hour for up to four people, according to its website. Monthly and annual memberships are available, ranging $45-$360. Ross said outdoor coin-operated batting cages also are being added to the facility. Ross said he is a full-time Realtor with Complete Realty Sales & Management LLC in Marshfield and his wife works as an occupational therapist for Mercy in Lebanon.
Hours: 4-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday
Phone: 417-313-1036
Web: SandlotMarshfield.com