Our favorite small(ish) businesses in Springfield, MO (metro)
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Introduction
There are several small shops, restaurants and other businesses we like to patronize. Some are small independents and others may be part of a chain, but are not a major player. Please add on your personal favorites...
In no particular order:
1
The Brown Derby Wine Center
Our wine friends from Arizona rate this better than any wine store the metro Phoenix area has to offer
2
Mud House / Mud Lounge
The Lounge is a great place to go for a snack and libation after an evening at The Landers and the House is fun to visit with the underagers for a smoothie or coffee drink. They are both comfortable and inviting. Plus, the Lounge has chocolate fondue; need I say more?
3
Smoothie King
This is actually a chain, but there are only two in the Springfield area so it seems more personal. Great, healthy smoothies. Brie turned me onto these.
4
Factory Card & Party Outlet
www.factorycard.com/vr4-web-site/index.jsp.vr?hl=…
Again, a chain, but only one in Springfield. Not a fancy store, but decent, cheap cards. I like to send cards but the Scots in me (my mother was a McIntosh) balks at $4.00 plus for a piece of card stock and an envelope.
5
Maria's Mexican Restaurant - downtown
The food is great, the service is great and the atmosphere is open and fun.
6
Gamble's Gifts
Great place to go for wedding and anniversary gifts. Knowledgeable sales staff and quality merchandise. A little pricey.
7
Just For Him
This is in the Fremont Center and is a great little shop for guy gifts. But, there are other gadgety things there, that might be of interest to the ladies in your life. Don't let the name fool you; it is not, necessarily, Just for Him.
8
Countryside Cottage
This is on Republic Road and is a wonderful little gift shop.
9
Martin's Floral on Campbell
I get all of my framing work there and buy ribbon for gift wrapping. They have always seemed reasonable and knowledgeable.
10
11
W F Cody's
For burgers, best in town. A little smokey sometimes; but worth it.
12
Diamond Designs Jewelry (Nixa)
This is where the "metro" comes in. Diamond is an independent store that will bend over backward to take care of your jewelry needs; big or little. I love them.
13
Hair Wynders (Nixa)
For my money, the best hair stylist in metro Springfield. The shop is small, not fancy, very clean and Valerie is the best stylist I've ever had.
14
Randy Bacon Photography
www.randybacon.com/index2.html
OMG - How could I forget Randy Bacon. Brie's Sr. pics are terrific! The sitting was so much fun, Randy is the best. Check out his website.
15
Spec Shop in the Galleria
I've gotten my glasses there for years. Mark and Heather are fantastic people and take really good care of their customers.
16
Antonyms
The opposite of small business these are the major stores that often suck up our cash. They are fine for what they offer and we use them fairly often, the experience is just not as nice.
Lowes
Target
Barnes & Noble
Bass Pro
Lowes
Target
Barnes & Noble
Bass Pro
I really like Mudhouse, Maria's, and Brown Derby. I live in San Francisco, which by most accounts is one of, if not the wine capital of the US as well as a major international city. I can completely and unobjectively say, if there is a better wine store here, I've not seen it.
i also LOVE the mudhouse. you can't beat the morning atmosphere; when i was in spfd, it always got my work-mornings started off on the right foot. not to mention my saturday and sunday mornings.
other good spfd businesses:
staxx - it feels like an urban shopping experience and i LOVE the clothes.
garbo's - so, i'm a little biased as my best friend's mom owns the place, but their salads are the absolute best.
haruno - awesome sushi, awesome atmosphere and about-to-be awesome location; i hear they're opening downtown.
bijan's - best cigar/martini bar in town (and out, if you ask me)...and i don't even smoke!
all this talk is making me homesick!
other good spfd businesses:
staxx - it feels like an urban shopping experience and i LOVE the clothes.
garbo's - so, i'm a little biased as my best friend's mom owns the place, but their salads are the absolute best.
haruno - awesome sushi, awesome atmosphere and about-to-be awesome location; i hear they're opening downtown.
bijan's - best cigar/martini bar in town (and out, if you ask me)...and i don't even smoke!
all this talk is making me homesick!
Emily, I will go eat a salad at Garbo's, have a martini, smoke a cigar and eat some sushi for you. (I forgot about Haruno's which is right by where I work.) I'll leave the Staxx for you sweet young things. OK?
I would skip a good meal to go to Andy's Frozen Custard. Best in the Midwest.
Let's all meet at Andy's!! 5 PM Sunday good for everybody. I'm buying...
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