Springfield Business Journal_2021-04-12

SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 5 APRIL 12-18, 2021 OPEN FOR BUSINESS The Tin Ceiling Event Venue and Mercantile A health care worker became a first-time business owner Dec. 8 by opening The Tin Ceiling Event Venue and Mercantile LLC. The 5,000-square-foot venture at 123 W. Main St. in downtown Ash Grove hosts weddings, showers, parties and corporate events, said owner Cassy Ballard . Startup costs were roughly $225,000, she said, including the building purchase from Ernie Cotter. The building had been vacant for about three years after formerly being occupied by several restaurants, she said. Venue rental prices begin at $75 per hour with a four-hour minimum, while weddings start at $995, according to its website. Bal- lard said she has experience deco- rating and organizing weddings and other events for friends and family. Ballard said she also main- tains employment with Mercy as a nurse analyst in informatics.  Hours: Vary by event Phone: 417-425-0100 Web: TinCeilingEvents.com  —Mike Cullinan, Reporter The Sweet Peach Bakery A home baker decided to pur- sue a longtime dream of starting her own business. Reagan Witt launched The Sweet Peach Bak- ery LLC on Oct. 1 out of her Nixa home. The Sweet Peach Bakery’s menu includes cakes, cupcakes, sweet breads, cinnamon rolls and miniature cookies. Cakes are sold for weddings and other special oc- casions, Witt said, and prices start at $25 for two layers and $35 for three layers. Cake flavors include chocolate chip cookie dough, ba- nana and coconut, according to its website. She said startup costs were roughly $3,000, including bakery supplies and a commercial mixer. Witt, who said she’s mostly self-taught, also holds a couple of part-time jobs as a nanny and for product distribution company The Lime Canary LLC. Hours: By appointment Phone: 417-619-4333 Web: TheSweetPeachBakery.com  Cassy Ballard, The Tin Ceiling Event Venue and Mercantile Send new business info to mcullinan@sbj.net Premier Choice Tax and Accounting Solutions Springfield-based Premier Choice Tax and Accounting Solutions LLC expanded its reach in Greene County with the Jan. 1 opening of a Republic office at 947 U.S. High- way 60. Co-owner Marilee Daugh- erity said startup costs for the 900-square-foot, three-employee office were $35,000. She declined to disclose the five-year lease rate with Lee Roberts. Daugherity said she owns the firm with husband Ricky and another couple, Jean Paul and Nicole Herrera . Premier Choice offers tax, insurance, book- keeping and payroll services. The rapid growth of Republic was an at- traction to starting an office in town, Marilee Daugherity said, noting the firm added a third location Jan. 5 in Aurora via acquisition of Jessee In- surance Agency Inc., at 226 S. Madi- son Ave., for an undisclosed rate. Premier Choice launched in 2019 at 636 W. Republic Road, Ste. A112. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday in Republic Phone: 417-616-3291 Web: PremierChoiceTax.com  MCKENZIE ROBINSON