Ozarks Profile: Brian D. King

What is your job?

Co-owner, Mudhouse, 323-B South Ave.

Tell us about your organization.

Mudhouse is one of downtown's finest sources of caffeine and pottery. Besides offering coffee, espresso drinks, teas, smoothies and frozen drinks, as well as sandwiches and soups at lunch time, the coffeehouse is also a purveyor of King's clay pots and mugs that he throws himself in the Mudroom, a backroom studio at the Mudhouse. King said the "mud" in the coffeehouse's name refers to both coffee and clay. King and partner Rob Weislocher began Mudhouse in January 1999 after spending four months renovating the 120-year-old downtown building that houses it. The building had been vacant for a couple of years and was in bad shape at the time, he said. The partners, who met at Southwest Missouri State University, are both well-traveled and were inspired to open a coffeehouse after trips abroad. "With a coffeehouse, you have a lot of creative freedom ... I had a lot of fun designing the place," King said. Mudhouse employs 12 and its clientele ranges from middle school, high school and college kids to downtown businesspeople to out-of-towners. King said he and Weislocher have no plans to open a second Mudhouse location, but that if the right opportunity and the right location presented themselves, they would consider it.

What is your educational background?

King holds a bachelor's degree in art with emphasis in photography from SMSU.

What jobs led you to your current one?

After graduating from SMSU in 1997, King worked at a social services agency serving people with disabilities before opening Mudhouse in 1999.

Give us some personal information.

King is 36 and grew up in Springfield, graduating from Glendale High School. He enjoys traveling, especially to England, and is planning a trip there in 2001.

What is your favorite business lunch spot?

Besides Mudhouse, King frequents Maria's Mexican Foods & Goods around the corner from Mudhouse on Walnut. He also eats at The Bar Next Door.

by Melissa Wilson