Open for Business: Springfield Antique Company

Springfield Antique Company made its return to Springfield Oct. 27 when owners Kerry and Tammie Martens (pictured) opened a storefront at 1211 W. Sunshine St. The couple closed a 406 South Ave. locale three years ago. In the meantime, they've been traveling to antique shows across the country and selling items on e-Bay. "We miss the personal touch," Kerry Martens said. The new location, the former Original Gourmet Hot Doggery, carries a mix of retro items and old-fashioned antiques dating back to the late 1800s. Springfield Antique Co. is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Merlin's Books Inc. opened Oct. 21 at 319 E. Battlefield, Ste. F in the Battlefield Plaza. Merlin's Books sells remainder books, or publisher overruns and returns, at lower prices, said owner Mike Bell. Bell ran The Book Market for two years, a temporary bookstore that operated in the former Pier 1 location on East Battlefield. Merlin's Books, open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, carries approximately 25,000 titles, Bell said.

Office Outfitters of Southwest Missouri Inc. moved Sept. 22 to 157 E. Highway CC at Merchant's Field in Nixa. The 2-year-old office furniture company moved to the larger space to accommodate a showroom, said owner Chris Hammon. The 2,000-square-foot showroom houses about 80 furniture items. A separate warehouse stores another 450 items of inventory carrying new lines of Hon and Bush, and used pieces from Steelcase and Herman Miller, Hammons said. Office Outfitters focuses on business-to-business sales. It is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Casey's Bar & Grill, 2609 N. Kansas Expressway, expanded its business to include catering services when it opened Casey's Catering Sept. 1. Gary Bradford, owner of Casey's Bar & Grill for three years, offers catering for conferences, banquets, business lunches and formal dinners for five people to 5,000 people, he said. The menu specializes in barbecue and Cajun dishes, but Bradford is willing to try anything: "If you can think it up then I can probably do it." Casey's Catering also can provide a staffed bar, karaoke, live music from local bands and event consulting, Bradford said.