APRIL 22-28, 2024 SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 3 NEWS CONTENTS A Conversation With ... SBJ interviews the owner of El Shaddai Farm, a quarter-acre farm in north Springfield growing vegetables for a local restaurant. page 12 Agriculture Open for Business New ownership is at the helm of a longtime Springfield office products shop. page 4 Business of the Arts As Gillioz resident company, Ozarks Lyric Opera serves tastes of broadening audience page 8 Untangled Web Digital Editor Geoff Pickle digs into a new Pizza Hut coming to Sunshine Street and Kansas Expressway. page 25 Opinion Page Guest columnist Donnie Brawner says many entrepreneurs stray from their original business ventures, which is often a recipe for success. page 29 Home construction companies merge to launch new venture by Mike Cullinan · mcullinan@sbj.net A pair of home construction companies with a combined 30-plus years in the industry have teamed up to open a local franchise of a Canada-based home building and renovation company. Aaron Wyssmann and Travis Miller are franchisees of Alair Springfield, which opened for business in December. It’s the first Missouri franchise for Alair Homes, which specializes in custom homes and remodels. It was founded in 2007 in British Columbia, Canada, and has since opened over 100 affiliated offices, including ones in 14 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces, according to its website. Alair Springfield is the result of a merger for undisclosed terms of Wyssmann’s Ozarks Remodeling & Design business and Travis Miller Homes LLC, which Miller started around 20 years ago. While the franchise’s signage at this month’s annual HBA Home & Outdoor Living Show, organized by the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield, noted Alair Springfield and Travis Miller Homes, Wyssmann said his company’s name has been folded into the new venture. Miller said his company name will likely be used for a couple years before fully transitioning to the Alair Springfield branding. “Travis’s brand is a whole lot stronger than mine, so it just made a whole lot more sense to keep his brand and come in. So, we’re cobranded as those two companies,” Wyssmann said of Alair Springfield and Travis Miller Homes, noting he and Miller own the franchise via TA Custom Homes LLC. At 4126 W. Third St. in Battlefield, Alair Springfield is housed in the former office of Ozarks Remodeling & Design. “Alair Springfield is not just an expansion; it’s a statement of our commitment to excellence and innovation,” Rob Cecil, president of REBECCA GREEN by Geoff Pickle · gpickle@sbj.net Officials behind a newly planned aquatic development are looking make a splash in northwest Springfield. H Design Group LLC officials teased in an April 15 Facebook post plans for the Well Aquatic Center, a 70,000-square-foot development at Chestnut Expressway and Airport Boulevard. “The Well isn’t just a pool – it’s a community landmark in the making,” the post reads, indicating the development would have offerings for competitive and burgeoning swimmers. “The Well will also be a hub for innovative water therapy options, promoting holistic wellness for all ages and abilities.” The Well was registered as a nonprofit with the Missouri secretary of state’s office last month by H Design Group senior principal Rob Haik, Bailey Gott and Laura Gott, who is named as project manager on LinkedIn. Haik said those involved with the project are currently seeking to build interest for the development. “The developer is fully behind this initiative and impressed with what has been presented so far,” he said via email. “As for costs and logistics, we’ll address them as the project garners more support. Regarding the developer, design team and contractor, all decisions have been made, and we’ll share more details when appropriate.” He said the goal is to secure funding from a mix of public and private sources, as well as state backing. JOINING FORCES Travis Miller and Aaron Wyssmann are franchisees of Alair Springfield after merging their companies, Travis Miller Homes and Ozarks Remodeling & Design, late last year. See ALAIR on page 20 See WELL on page 21 Alair Springfield is first Missouri franchise for Canada-based company Aquatic development teased in northwest Springfield The Well Aquatic Center would front Sports Town along Chestnut Expressway
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