Open for Business: Skybox Grille |amp| Lounge

Skybox Grille & Lounge opened April 19 at 1271 E. Montclair. The sports bar features a menu of steaks, seafood, pasta, burgers and chicken ranging from $3.95 to $16.95, said Matt Blinn (pictured), manager and co-owner with Gary Newkirk. The head chef is Jim Lekander. The 5,200-square-foot facility seats about 145. Located throughout the seating and standing area are two 10-foot screens, a 46-inch plasma flat screen, eight 32-inch televisions and three 15-inch flat screens in the restrooms. Blinn, who recently worked as a fleet manager at Prime Inc., said the decision behind launching the business stemmed from the enjoyment he got from bartending during college. He forecasts 2004 revenues at $1.2 million. The 30-employee operation has a five-year lease with two three-year renewal options; lessor is Connie Gorley with Prime Investments. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Espree Swim & Fitness Center operated out of 16,000 square feet at this location. Hours are 10:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-midnight on Sunday.

Ozark Bank opened a 5,780-square-foot facility March 15 at 1351 W. State Highway NN in Ozark. The $800,000 branch employs nine, and is the bank's fourth overall location with three in Ozark and one in Nixa, said Jerry Shipley, senior vice president and operations officer. The building is a steel structure with masonry work and a stainless steel roof. The site is about two miles east of the bank's former address at 5701 N. 21st St., which was destroyed by a fire in March 2002. Esterly Schneider & Associates was the architect for the project; the general contractor was Federal Construction Inc., and interior work was done by Interior Planning Consultants. At year-end 2003, total bank assets were $193 million, Shipley said. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday.

Amerifirst Mortgage opened a 1,200-square-foot office at 3265 Falls Parkway, Ste. W, in Branson. The 10-year-old company was bought Dec. 1 by Mark and Daphne Tromblee and opened for business under their direction that same day. The company employs five. The business has a five-year lease and remodeling expenses ran about $6,000 for painting and carpet additions, Mark Tromblee said. He and his wife have more than 18 years of mortgage lending and real estate experience, primarily with two California firms, Kaufman and Broad and California Mortgage Associates, Tromblee said. Office hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.