Open for Business: Rise Apothecary

Rise Apothecary
After starting in early 2022 as a healthy drink shop, Republic business Rise Apothecary LLC has expanded its products, alongside a name, ownership and location change within the past few months. Jan. 9 was the grand opening for the new 1,200-square-foot location for the venture – previously named Rise Nutrition – at 315 U.S. Highway 60 East, Ste. D, said owners Alex and Michal Antonuk. Alex Antonuk said he and his wife became owners of the business on Oct. 1, having purchased it for an undisclosed price from a trio of sisters, Shelby Cotter, Brittany Davajon and Ashlie Will. The shop was previously at 1652 U.S. Highway 60 East in the Town East Center. Rise Apothecary has refill stations for products such as soaps and shampoos. It also now offers products for body care, child wellness and hair care. Additionally, it continues to sell healthy energy drinks and protein shakes. Startup costs for the new location were roughly $40,000, Antonuk said, declining to disclose the five-year lease rate with landlord Victor Paulik.
Phone: 417-571-9785
Web: RiseApothecary.com

Hatch & Harvest Cafe
Dec. 17 was the soft opening date for Hatch & Harvest Cafe LLC at 2833 W. Chestnut Expressway. The new breakfast and lunch cafe owned by Shkodran “Donny” Veliu, 24, fills space formerly occupied by The Phoenix Diner Bar and Grille and, earlier, Missouri Mike’s BBQ & More. Being a restaurateur is in his family background, Veliu said, adding Hatch & Harvest is the first venture he’s taken on as sole owner. Veliu said the menu was intended to be “pretty casual” with a number of classic plates including omelets along with “newer kind of style” dishes such as multigrain pancakes and the El Tapia breakfast bowl, which includes chorizo, jalapeno, tomato, green pepper, onion and queso served over crispy home fries and topped with avocado and two eggs cooked any style. Most entrees range $7-$14. Veliu said Hatch & Harvest employs around 12 workers, noting his investment in the business is between $80,000 and $100,000. He said he signed a three-year lease for an undisclosed rate with Westway Shopping Center LLC.
Phone: 417-771-5242
Web: HatchAndHarvestCafe.toast.site

Echo Suites
A $13.5 million hotel construction project of a new brand from Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: WH) is finished near Springfield-Branson National Airport. David Harari, founder and CEO of Miami, Florida-based Bloom Ventures, said his investment management firm, which owns the hotel and property, was able to begin taking reservations for Echo Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham Springfield Airport Plaza on Dec. 16. The hotel’s opening at 3471 W. Kearney St. was several weeks ahead of Harari’s previous February 2026 estimate. Harari said Osage Beach-based Thomas Construction was general contractor for the 50,000-square-foot, 124-room Echo Suites hotel, adding it is the first of the new Wyndham brand to open in Missouri. The concept features dog-friendly suites with full-size refrigerators and cooktops, laundry facilities, a fitness center and electric vehicle chargers. The site is located immediately adjacent to Bloom Ventures’ La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Springfield Airport Plaza, which the company bought in late 2022.
Phone: 417-591-9029
Web: WyndhamHotels.com/echo-suites