Open for Business: WTP Ice Cream

WTP Ice Cream
Following a brief two-month debut Nov. 1 before closing for part of the winter season, WTP Ice Cream LLC is back open as of March 2 in Nixa. The roughly 1,600-square-foot shop is in a shopping center at 270 W. Mt. Vernon St., near River of Life Church and an O’Reilly Auto Parts store, said Tim McKee, who co-owns the venture with his wife, Robyn. The couple also own a franchise of The UPS Store in Republic and previously owned Rocco’s Italian Kitchen in Republic for around 15 years, he said. It’s a hockey theme – particularly the St. Louis Blues – at WTP Ice Cream, which stands for What the Puck. An avid hockey fan, McKee, who declined to disclose startup costs, said the shop also includes a room with a domed hockey game table for customers to play. McKee said the couple signed a five-year lease for an undisclosed rate with Cloud 9 Property Management LLC. The five-employee store has 16 regular flavors and four nondairy flavors with prices ranging $4.75-$9. McKee said the hand-dipped ice cream is made on-site and is served in cones, cups, pints and milkshakes. 
Phone: 417-714-4343

Stone County Ambulance District 
A March 2 flag-raising ceremony also served as the grand opening for the new ambulance station in Branson West of the Stone County Ambulance District. The facility at 15275 Business Highway 13, built to serve Branson West and nearby Kimberling City, is part of a larger plan to add five ambulance stations across Stone County, said Jeff Hawkins, SCAD executive director. The new station is crewed by two first responders and serviced by one ambulance, Hawkins said, but it’s built to accommodate two ambulances with four crew members. SCAD contracts with Mercy EMS for ambulance service, and Hawkins said crews work 48-hour shifts. The building comprises three garage bays, along with fully functional crew quarters and operational infrastructure. The completed station has a backup generator and features a living room, kitchen and bedrooms accommodating four EMS personnel, as well as dedicated areas for equipment and medical supply storage. Cost was undisclosed for the station, whose interior was completed by SMJ Builders LLC. 
Phone: 417-528-9803
Web: StoneCoAmbulanceMo.gov

Pancheros Mexican Grill
Fast-casual restaurant franchise Pancheros Mexican Grill opened its first Queen City location on Feb. 3 at 2100 W. Republic Road, Ste. 100, in Magers Crossing. Pancheros is in the unit that formerly housed Smokin’ Bob’s BBQ LLC. Dick Davis, co-owner of Davis Fresh-Mex LLC, said he is a franchisee in the company with his son, Joe, and Kim Schoening, who serves as director of operations. Based in Fulton, Davis Fresh-Mex also has Pancheros restaurants in Columbia, Jefferson City and Rolla. The Springfield shop fills 2,250 square feet and has 16 employees led by General Manager Samantha Johnson, Dick Davis said. Davis, who graduated from then-Southwest Missouri State University in the 1970s, said the quality of the food at Pancheros, which has some 80 locations systemwide, drew him to the concept after he retired as a Taco Bell franchisee. He declined to disclose startup costs or lease terms with Magers Crossing LLC. The menu at Pancheros includes burritos, quesadillas, salads and tacos. Entree prices range $7.50-$9.25.
Phone: 417-771-5211
Web: Pancheros.com/location/springfield