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Irene Schaefer, Marty Corcoran and Karen Schaefer, Footbridge Trading Co.
SBJ photo by Wes Hamilton
Irene Schaefer, Marty Corcoran and Karen Schaefer, Footbridge Trading Co.

Open for Business: Footbridge Trading Co.

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Footbridge Trading Co.
Two sisters and a friend started a retail venture called Footbridge Trading Co. on Dec. 1 at 320 E. Commercial St. Co-owned by sisters Karen Schaefer and Marty Corcoran, and their friend Irene Schaefer – organized as KIM Commerce LLC – the shop features soaps, pottery, essential oils, jewelry, pillows and art from about 10 local vendors. Many items are sold on consignment, said Irene Schaefer, who’s the ex-wife of Karen’s husband, Lee. The businesswomen purchased the Commercial Street property in June 2017, when Formula Salon was a tenant and began renting out the loft above the store that December, through Airbnb. Irene Schaefer said the trio invested $45,000 in the building purchase and startup costs. They are the lone employees at the 900-square-foot store. Schaefer also works as a product manager for O’Reilly Automotive Inc., and Karen Schaefer is president of Sunbelt Environmental Services Inc. Corcoran is a retired schoolteacher.
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday through Sunday
Phone: (417) 830-0220

Eventful Rental
Springfield-based Eventful Rental on Aug. 31 acquired S.B. Bon LLC, another local event rental business, from owners  Carolyn Beguin and Rebecca Cherry for an undisclosed amount. Darick Hemphill, who co-owns Eventful Rental with his wife Amanda and his mother Allena, said the purchase of S.B. Bon’s inventory, including furniture, tents and decor, allows the company to expand in high-end, large corporate events and weddings. He said Eventful Rental, which employs 32, routinely handles events with over 1,000 guests, offering party rental equipment and event consulting services. In addition to the acquisition, Eventful Rental purchased a building Oct. 19 at 5009 S. Campbell Ave., formerly a Pet Warehouse. Of the 10,000-square-foot building, Hemphill said a fourth of it would be dedicated to showroom and meeting space when renovations are completed in the spring. The remainder will be for storage, as will its current 5119 S. Campbell Ave. home after occupying the renovated building. Hemphill said the owners are investing over $1 million.
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and by appointment
Phone: (417) 882-0700
Web: EventfulRents.com

Connelly Plumbing Co. and Connelly Mechanical Inc.
After 16 years operating on Mount Vernon Street, Connelly Plumbing Co. and Connelly Mechanical Inc. moved July 30 to 1219 E. Division St. Kayley Edwards, who oversees billing and marketing for the Connelly companies, declined to disclose the purchase price or remodeling costs for the building that formerly housed a Butternut Bread store. The company worked with Esterly Schneider & Associates Inc. to convert the 8,000-square-foot property into offices, warehousing, a service area and fabrication space for plumbing, pipefitting and sheet metal. Connelly Plumbing started in 1949, with Connelly Mechanical, a full-service sheet metal fabrication and HVAC provider, beginning in 1997. Edwards said the two businesses employ 65. Danny Edwards, who owns Connelly Plumbing and co-owns Connelly Mechanical, owns the building through Hideaway Investments LLC, said Personnel Manager Linda McConnell.
Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with 24/7 service department
Phone: (417) 866-2256
Web: ConnellyPlumbing.com

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