U.S. Cellular to open Springfield store

Chicago-based wireless carrier U.S. Cellular Corp. plans to enter the Springfield retail market by the end of the month with the opening of a store on South Glenstone Avenue.

The 3,000-square-foot store, which will initially employ eight at 3825 S. Glenstone Ave., will be the largest of the wireless carrier's 76 stores in Missouri. The company's long-term plans call for up to 25 Springfield employees for positions ranging from retail wireless consultants to engineering professionals, according to a news release.

The store will feature a service center with an on-site technician and additional work stations, product information displays and phone demonstration stations.

U.S. Cellular, which bills itself as the country's seventh-largest wireless carrier, operates more than 800 Missouri cell sites, including two recent additions in Springfield and Sparta, the release said.

Publicly traded U.S. Cellular Corp. (NYSE: USM) posted third-quarter earnings of $35.5 million, down 43 percent from $62.1 million in the same quarter a year ago. The company claims approximately 5.8 million customers in 26 states, according to a separate release.

As of 10:50 a.m., the company's shares were trading at a 52-week low of $35.82. Its 52-week high was $48.30.