Open for Business: South & Walnut Bar & Grill

South & Walnut Bar & Grill
Owners Pam, Dan and Daniel Craft on Sept. 24 opened South & Walnut Bar & Grill at 400 South Ave. The 4,000-square-foot restaurant operates with 14 part-time employees. Dan Craft holds a degree in hotel and restaurant management from Oklahoma State University and has taught for 20 years in Missouri State University’s Department of Hotel and Restaurant Administration, a program his son, Daniel, attended. Pam Craft said the most popular items are the homemade meatball sub and the blackened chicken Santa Fe salad. Sandwiches run $6 to $8, and salads are $3 to $9. The bar has a 4–7 p.m. happy hour and serves appetizers and entrees, some with homemade recipes. The Crafts self-financed the restaurant and lease the space for undisclosed amounts. Hours: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 11–1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Phone: (417) 865-0400.

U.S. Automotive Inc.
Terry Hyden opened U.S. Automotive Inc.’s fourth shop on Oct. 2 at 1700 W. Jackson St. in Ozark. Hyden has owned U.S. Automotive for 25 years and purchased the Ozark site, formerly a Midas shop, via foreclosure for an undisclosed amount. Jeff Taylor manages the 6,000-square-foot Ozark location with two full-time technicians to work in its eight service bays, said Alan Quackenbush, general manager of U.S. Automotive in Nixa. With 28 employees companywide, including two Springfield shops, Hyden said the technicians are certified through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. According to the U.S. Automotive website, technicians put in 260 educational hours last year. The shop provides mechanical services, such as alignments, oil changes and transmission work, but doesn’t deal with auto body repair. Hours: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.–noon Saturday. Phone (417) 581-7001. Web: USAutomotiveInc.com

Walmart Neighborhood Market
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. opened a fourth Walmart Neighborhood Market in Springfield on Oct. 17 at 3536 W. Mount Vernon St. The 41,000-square-foot store, a roughly $1.6 million project, is run by General Manager Doug Moon and 180 employees. The Neighborhood Market concept – with other stores at 545 W. El Camino Alto Drive, 3150 W. Republic Road and 1320 S. Glenstone Ave. – is a smaller model than the Walmart Supercenter stores, offering a full line of groceries and a drive-thru pharmacy. Hours: 24 hours daily. Phone: (417) 616-2669. Walmart.com

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