Open for Business: The James Industrial Wedding Venue

The James Industrial Wedding Venue
For the second time in two years, Tara Rigger bought a Buffalo event business from Chad and Nicole Bryan. Rigger purchased wedding venue Market 116 for an undisclosed price from the Bryans on Feb. 16. The Bryans maintain ownership of home goods store Market 116 LLC. Rigger said she changed her new venture’s name to The James Industrial Wedding Venue in honor of her paternal grandfather, James Rigger. The 7,740-square-foot event venue at 203 E. Commercial St. offers indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception spaces, as well as a kitchen and dressing suites for brides and grooms. One- and two-day rentals are offered with prices ranging $2,000-$3,800. Rigger said work is ongoing to provide a separate entrance, bathroom and lounge area for the indoor ceremony space, estimating startup costs at $35,000. In addition to The James, Rigger owns wedding venue Timber Line Barn, which she bought from the Bryans in March 2020.
Hours: By appointment
Phone: 417-299-3597
Web: JamesWeddingVenue.com

Branson Cafe
After a temporary closure late last year, Branson Cafe reopened March 1 under new ownership. Brandi Beebe said she and her grandmother, Mary Meadows, along with friend Sandra Ferdig, purchased the downtown Branson business from Tom and Susie Roten, who decided to retire. The 1,800-square-foot restaurant at 120 W. Main St. employs 15, Beebe said, declining to disclose financial terms of the cafe purchase, startup costs and lease terms. Branson Cafe, which opened in 1910, is considered to be the city’s oldest restaurant, according to the owners. Beebe said they plan to maintain the cafe’s tradition of made-from-scratch meals, noting its menu includes meatloaf, chicken fried steak, burgers and breakfast served all day. Prices range $2-$12. Beebe said she, Meadows and Ferdig have over 70 years of combined experience in the food service industry, adding Branson Cafe marks their first ownership venture.
Hours: 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Phone: 417-334-3021
Web: DowntownBransonCafe.com

Clear Creek Golf Car and Vehicles
Clear Creek Golf Car and Vehicles LLC expanded its space fivefold April 1 with a headquarters move to Ozark from Springfield. The company relocated to 5801 N. 21st St., across U.S. Highway 65 from James River Church. Co-owner and President Brian Cheever said the golf car company operated the past decade at 444 N. Belcrest Ave. in Springfield. Cheever said Clear Creek Golf Car purchased the former Youngblood Powersports building in Ozark for undisclosed terms. The deal also included the rights to sell brands such as Kawasaki and Yamaha that were purchased from Youngblood, he said, adding building renovations are underway. He said the acquisition came with seven employees, boosting Clear Creek’s workforce to 50 across its headquarters and six locations. The company is building off $29 million in 2021 revenue – up from $17 million in 2020 – amid a boom in sales of electric- and gas-powered golf and utility cars, he said.
Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
Phone: 417-883-9393
Web: ClearCreekGolfCar.com