Open for Business: The Blue Bull LLC

The Blue Bull LLC
The Blue Bull LLC opened Aug. 15 at 105 Park Central Square, formerly occupied by Riad. Owner Bart Pinkerton, a Wilhoit Properties commercial broker, signed a four-year lease with two three-year options for the 3,500-square-foot casual-dining restaurant at the northeast corner of the square. Allen Casey, a Springfield architect, owns the property. Since opening, Pinkerton said Craig Clark was brought on as partner and general manager of the restaurant. Clark has 15 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, Pinkerton said, most recently as a manager at Ernie Biggs Dueling Piano Bar at Branson Landing and at Cheddar’s restaurant. Pinkerton acquired a business loan of an undisclosed amount to buy out former partner Mike Greenlee. Hours: 11–1:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Phone: (417) 831-2855.

Rodeo & Juliet Leather
Jodi Oehlke opened Rodeo & Juliet Leather on Nov. 17 from her home near Willard. The leather-working company, which does business under Designs by Desireé, offers a signature women’s clutch wallet and will add a men’s wallet soon, she said. Oehlke said the wallet retails for $224 retail on www.rodeoandjulietleather.com, and she’s talking with Western and women’s clothing stores to carry product. She said the stores would receive a $50 cut for each item sold. She estimated her startup costs at around $1,000, which she covered with personal savings. Rodeo & Juliet Leather will select charitable organizations and donate half of its proceeds from retail sales to those organizations during the course of the next year, Oehlke said. Phone: (417) 894-9705.

Safe Rides LLC
Designated-driver service Safe Rides LLC opened Sept. 4. Owned by Kevin Boedecker, Safe Rides provides customers a ride home and delivers owners’ vehicles to their homes. Reservations are required before 11 p.m. and are encouraged during hours of operation. Cost is $12.50 per vehicle and $2 per mile. The company offers service to outlying towns including Ozark, Republic, Willard and Nixa, said Boedecker, who works as dispatcher with two two-driver teams that use their own vehicles. One driver takes a second team member, who has a Class C operator’s license, to pick up the customers and drive them home in their cars. Hours: 11 p.m.–2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Phone: (417) 234-8995.

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