January 2022: Bluefish Screen Printing & Design
Congratulations to the January Business of the Month Bluefish Screen Printing & Design. Back in 2014 with a crazy idea and zero knowledge of screen printing, Blue Fish began. Every day, after their regular nine to five, Mike and Patrick would crank up the 80s music in Patrick’s garage and learn whatever they could by trial and error and tons of research. Through blood, sweat and tears, these self-taught screen printers were able to grow Blue Fish big enough that it was time to get a storefront. They opened their doors in August of 2019 and with the help of the community, quickly outgrew that space. By July of 2021, they moved into their current location. They love meeting everyone that comes in, seeing all the different logos and are proud of your kid’s accomplishments when they get letterman jackets.
December 2021: Color Plus Print & Promo
Congratulations to December Business of the Month, Color Plus Print & Promo!
Color Plus Print & Promo was originally operated as Minuteman Press, owned by Denton Hushaw, located on Highway 63. Later, his son Eric Hushaw joined the business and together they built a regional printing and office supply company, located on V Highway. The current ownership group purchased the business in January 2016 and are now located on Quail Run in Rolla.
With more than 30 combined years of operations, Color Plus takes pride in their friendly and helpful approach to customer service. They offer a wide variety of custom printing, signs, banners, and promotional items combined with outstanding graphic design services. Whether it is a large print job, or friends who need occasional printing, you will find Karen, Marcia, or Josh eager to help you complete your project.
November 2021: St. James Winery
Congratulations to November Business of the Month, St. James Winery!
St James Winery has been producing wines for over 50 years. It was started in 1970 by Jim and Pat Hofherr. Today, St. James Winery is led by Jim and Pat’s son, Peter Hofherr. St. James Winery has always focused on making approachable, easy to drink wines to share with family and friends. In the 1920s, St. James Missouri was one of the largest grape growing regions of the country. Jim and Pat set out to bring Missouri wine to the world’s stage and did just that. As Missouri’s most awarded winery, St. James Winery is committed to producing high quality, good tasting wine using sustainability and innovation. Still a family business, St. James Winery prides itself on leaving the community better than they found it by collaborating with small businesses in the area as well as giving back. They hope to still be making wine 50 years from now as well.
October 2021: Phelps County Focus
Congratulations to October Business of the Month, Phelps County Focus!
The Phelps County Focus was started in 2017. Publisher Donald Dodd, president of Salem Publishing Company has been in the newspaper business since 1980 and has long admired the drive and success of Phelps County and the surrounding cities.
Salem Publishing Company recently acquired the Rolla Daily News and is now our go to source for all our local news. They are a family- owned business offering a wide variety of news, features, commentary, and sports.
They believe their tagline says it all: “It’s All About You!”
September 2021: MK Legal Planning
Congratulations to September Business of the Month, MK Legal Planning!
MK Legal Planning is a trust and estates law firm located in Rolla, MO that helps families avoid court and conflict to leave a lasting legacy. Our attorney and founder Michele Kelsaw is the attorney who does not want to go to court and wants to make sure your family doesn’t end up there either. Our firm strives to make legal concepts easy to understand and to protect those our clients love most. We use tools like trusts, powers of attorney, and contracts to ease the burden on families of caring for or losing a loved one. Our firm has served clients in Rolla and surrounding areas since 2010 and looks forward to continuing to impact our community by saving thousands of families from the costs and stresses of court.
Pictured is Robin Parker, RACC Membership Director, and Michele Marxkors Kelsaw, MK Legal Planning. For more information, visit http://mklegalplanning.com
August 2021: USA Tours
Congratulations to August Business of the Month, USA Tours!
USA Tours is a charter bus and tour company operating out of Rolla, MO since 1996. The first motorcoach was purchased by Jerre Robertson as an offshoot of USA Express, an airport shuttle company. Jerre sold both companies to Nick Barrack some 20 years ago and they are still operating in concert today. USA Tours is currently operating 8 standard motorcoaches and 2 special touring coaches taking over 30,000 passengers to hundreds of destinations each year from coast to coast to coast and to Canada. The unique mural on the side of their buses has earned them the honor of having the most photographed busses in the entire United States.
Pictured from left to right are Rex Tennyson, Robin Parker, Nick Barrack, Rachel Guth, and Mark Owens.
Learn more about USA Tours at http://www.usatoursmo.com
July 2021: Your Community Health Center
Congratulations to July Business of the Month, Your Community Health Center!
Your Community Health Center has been serving the community since 2014, including Dent, Crawford, Maries, Phelps and Pulaski counties. Your Community Health Center serves its patients through a location in Rolla, a co-located facility in St. Robert, and a mobile unit that serves Crawford and Dent. Your Community Health Center is known for its primary medical care and dental services but has much more to offer the community. Some of these services include behavioral health specifically medications for opioid use disorder, Woman’s health including OB/GYN, and oral surgery services for adults and children. In 2020 Your Community Health Center served over 10,000 unique patients from the local community. Your Community Health Center is proud to partner with many other local businesses in the community to help provide quality and affordable health care to the community.
Pictured, left to right, are Ashley Brown, YCHC; Felisha Richards, Project Director YCHC; Robin Parker, Membership Director RACC; Stuart Gibson, CEO YCHC; and Kassandra Trout, YCHC.
June 2021: South Central Creamery
Congratulations to the June Business of the Month, South Central Creamery!
South Central Creamery was established in 2010 by a husband and wife team, Jeff & Debbie Davis. The Davises moved to Rolla Mo in the year 2000 and have raised their 3 sons in this great community of Rolla, Mo Since opening in 2010, they have had the great privilege of serving the area with the best premium ice cream around. They have employed over 80 teenagers and college students over their 10 years and have seen many great leaders that have moved on to careers of their own.
South Central Creamery has over 42 flavors of ice cream and every dish is served with a smile as they create your very own personal masterpiece. The Davises look forward to many more years of doing what they love, serving the community, being a big part of many special experiences for the young and old and simply getting to know their customers. Their customers are truly the best!
South Central Creamery is located at 201 S. Bishop Ave and they are ready to serve you!
May 2021: Something Special Florist
Congratulations to May Business of the Month Something Special Florist! Something Special Florist is owned by Wanda Miller and Brenda Tyree. Together they have over 20 years experience in the floral industry, specializing in award-winning floral designs, wreaths and home decor. In addition, they recently expanded their business by adding an amazing Candy Shop, which offers a variety of delicious, sweet treats, sweet gifts, and specialty coffee. Wanda and Brenda take pride in every aspect of their business to ensure it is truly SOMETHING SPECIAL! Something Special Florist is located at 2250 North Bishop, Ste. L or give them a call at (573) 426-4777!
For more information visit http://somethingspecialfloristrolla.com
March 2021: DiTrapani's On the Square
DiTrapani’s On the Square opened the doors in March 2015, 6 years ago. They are located in the Benton Square building at 400 East 6th Street. Although they are primarily an Italian restaurant, they are capable of many cuisines. DiTrapani’s also provides catering services on premise for groups from 25 to 100 and off premises for groups up to 300.
Jenna Chasteen accepted the award on behalf of the entire DiTrapani’s staff.
For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/DiTrapanisItalianBistro.
February 2021: American Family Insurance - Tony Froehlich Agency
After moving to Rolla in 2004, Tony immediately fell in love with the community and called it home. He wanted to become a bigger part of the community and eventually joined the Rolla Chamber of Commerce, Rolla School Board, and many other various clubs and committees. He’s served on the board of the Rolla Athletic Booster Club, CORE, and SIR, as well being on the Advisory Committee for RTI and Certified Work Ready Committee for Phelps County. He is also a former President for the Rolla Chamber of Commerce, 2018, as well as serving as a current board member and ambassadors.
Tony’s career with American Family Insurance has spanned 27 years and has been in both agency management and as a small business-person owning his own agency. In Tony’s downtime, you can find him on the back 9 at Oak Meadows, smoking just about any sort of meat or spending time out on the patio with his friends and family.
Tony’s office is located at 110 S Spilman Ave. For more information visit https://agent.amfam.com/tony…/mo/rolla/110-s-spilman-ave/
January 2021: Legends Bank
Legends Bank was founded in 1913 in the community of Rich Fountain, Missouri. Today, the bank is headquartered in Linn, and serves 9 different communities throughout mid-Missouri, including Rolla, Union, and Jefferson City.
Stability in management has been a keystone of the bank’s success. Since its inception in 1913, the bank has been owned and managed by the same family.
The bank has also seen substantial growth in Rolla since opening in 2011. We are honored by the trust and confidence our customers have given us over the last 10 years. In order to better support our customers and meet community needs, we will be adding a second location in Rolla later this year at 10th & Forum.
We have worked to give back to Rolla and the surrounding communities through donations and sponsorships over the last 10 years. Our main philanthropic focus in the area has been, and will continue to be, the local schools and related youth programs. We have been a proud sponsor of everything from Character Education programs at local elementary schools to Rolla Varsity Football and Wrestling. We look forward to a future of serving our community.
December 2020: Hopper's Pub
Hoppers Pub, established in 2010 by Ursula and Jake Lebioda features 66 brews on tap on Route 66. The concept was triggered by their love for Route 66. The Rolla location was added to the Hoppers family in 2018. Between both locations they employ about 40 + people and could not accomplish success without the great team.
Hoppers Pub offers a full menu specializing in great burgers & an awesome beer selection. The Rolla location at 723 N. Pine St. is spacious and offers a small meeting space. You can enjoy daily activities and specials like bingo night on Monday, Build your own burger on Tuesday, trivia on Wednesday, jazz night on Thursday, live entertainment on Friday and karaoke on Saturday. Hoppers also offers brunch on Saturday & Sunday from 11-2. Club 66 is available to anyone completing all 66 beers.
They are delighted to be part of the quaint downtown community. Follow hoppers Pub Rolla on Facebook or instagram. They continue to offer take out and are a phone call away. A special thanks to the customers and community who have been supportive to their small business.
http://hopperspub.com/
November 2020: Lee's Famous Recipe
Since 1966, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken has been cooking up legendary flavor. Their famous recipe chicken is never frozen. It’s hand breaded, honey-dipped and pressure-cooked to make it the best tasting chicken around. And they do it all at prices that are as famous as their food. That’s Lee’s – famous for chicken!
They offer dine-in, drive-through and catering. Lee’s is located at 1902 N. Bishop Ave.
October 2020: Meramec Vineyards Winery
In 2018, St. James locals Joe & Michelle Boulware embarked on a journey to bring life and energy back into Meramec Vineyards Winery. Over the last nearly 3 years, lots of hard work, late nights, and many learning opportunities later, Joe & Michelle have grown the business into a place where people can come grab a delicious bite to eat with countless drink options, making it true that there’s something here for everyone! Live music on the weekends is enjoyable on their renovated outdoor patio, and their expanded seating is perfect for hosting events. Using their business as a platform to give back has been one of the most fulfilling things about being a small business owner and they are proud to serve and give back to the surrounding communities. Joe & Michelle thank the Rolla Chamber for their support and appreciate this honor.
September 2020: Stites Insurance Agency
Sherry Stites is an agent with Shelter Insurance® and the owner of Stites Insurance Agency LLC. Before insurance, Sherry worked in the financial industry managing a consumer loan branch with 21 years’ experience in the lending business. She currently is board member of the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce and the first female Rolla Lions Club member.
Sherry and her team which includes Patty Stagner and Ryan Stites share 35 years’ experience with Shelter Insurance®. Her goal as an agent is helping her insured find savings without sacrificing coverages and giving a peace of mind. Sherry’s team strives in providing excellent customer service to our existing and new policy holders with events happening in their life.
Shelter Insurance® offers insurance for auto, home, business, farms and life.
August 2020: Schmidt CPAS & Advisors
Congratulations to August Business of the Month, Schmidt CPAS & Advisors!
Stanley Schmidt founded Schmidt CPAS & Advisors in 1990 in order to provide financial guidance to small businesses. As the firm grew his son, Brian, joined as a partner bringing with him his expertise in tax, accounting and business valuations. The business expanded in 2015 with the acquisition of a local firm, promoting Kimberly Littrell to partner and retaining staff that have served Rolla and the surrounding communiities for more than 30 years. They offer a wide variety of tax, accounting, payroll, advisory and planning services.
They are located at 401 W 5th St., Ste 201. For more information visit https://www.schmidt-cpapc.com/
July 2020: Valvoline Express Care
Brian Beckett, along with his wife Tricia Beckett, own and operate Valvoline Express Care Sullivan and Rolla.
Brian and his Dad, Richard, started the Sullivan store 21 years ago. In 2013 Tricia and Brian purchased his dad’s half as he moved to Branson and semi-retired. In 2017, Tricia and Brian decide to open Express Care Rolla.
The Express Care program is not a franchise. The program is partnered with Valvoline and we are 100% privately owned. They are located at 1001 Kingshighway in Rolla.
Pictured from left to right are Manager Ron Daniels, Owner Brian Beckett, and RACC Director Stevie Kearse.
June 2020: Donut King
Paul Shangraw and his family purchased Donut King in 2010. Donut King is located on North 63 next to the Missouri S&T campus. Paul and his staff pride themselves in providing exceptional customer service. Almost all their donuts are made by hand with very little automation, and nothing is ever frozen!
Community involvement is extremely important to Paul and his staff, they are always willing to lend a helping hand. Each year they welcome the incoming S&T students with free donut coupons, they often give free donuts to the Boy Scout troops, they sponsor little league teams and are always willing to help with fundraisers or auctions by offering coupons or donating donuts.
We would like to thank Paul and his amazing staff for their support of our community and being a part of our Chamber organization.
May 2020: Price Chopper
Pictured from left to right are Manager Jeff Turnbough, Celeste Lietz, Katherine Lima, Sheilah Warren, and Kyle Harlan.
In 1954 Wayne Gott opened his first store as Gott’s General Store in Bradleyville, located in Southwest Missouri. In February of 1962, Mr. Gott and wife, Betty, moved to Salem to open the first Town & Country Supermarket. Mr. Gott prided himself in providing friendly customer service, while offering a wide variety of products and services, all at low prices. In addition, the stores took pride in becoming integral members of their communities.
In 2015, the company built and opened a new 48,000-square-foot store located in Rolla, MO that became one of Wayne and son, Dennis Gott’s, proudest achievements. After Dennis’ untimely passing, his daughter, Amber, and her husband, Joe Polizzi, have continued the family business, with Joe assuming the role of President & CEO. In 2018, Dennis Gott was inducted in the Missouri Grocers Association Hall of Fame. Mr. Polizzi takes pride in the family business and continues to keep the mission that the Gotts started back in 1962.
ONE THING WILL NEVER CHANGE: Their commitment to Guarantee their Customers 100% Satisfaction.
March 2020: Realty Executives Ferrell Associates
Realty Executives Ferrell Associates has been serving the Rolla area since 1997 with all their real estate needs. They specialize in residential homes, new construction, commercial and property management. They are committed to satisfying all of your real estate needs, whether buying, selling or just talking real estate. They believe in the Rolla community! They live here, they work here and they call Rolla HOME!
February 2020: Falkenhain Eye Group
Falkenhain Eye Group has been providing quality eye care to the Rolla community and surrounding areas since 1965. Their featured services include Lasik Surgery, Contact Lenses Therapy, Glaucoma, Cataracts, a variety of eye tests and treatment of other eye related complications. Their office, located on 1001 N. Pine St., utilizes state of the art equipment.
Their friendly staff is dedicated to patients’ comfort and quality of care throughout their visits. Falkenhain Eye Group’s mission is to maintain existing healthy eye structures while improving vision when possible.
Pictured are Dr. Bud Falkenhain and Dr. David Falkenhain.
Visit www.rollaoptometrist.com or call (573) 364-1773 for more information.
January 2020: Alex's Pizza Palace
In November 1964, inspired by the people of Rolla, Alex Kallas and his wife Froso Kallas chose the location for his restaurant. He believed here in Rolla there was something special about the people, the town, and how he could be part of it. As the years passed Alex’s Pizza Palace became part of Rolla, a tradition, and a famous spot that contains many memories and a part of this history of the city.
At Alex’s their recipes for pizza dough, sauce, and other items have been unchanged and made fresh daily for over 40 years. Alex’s Pizza Palace thanks the city of Rolla and its loyal customers for their continued support since 1964.
Alex’s Pizza is located at 122 W 8th Street. Visit them online at http://www.alexspizza.com/
Pictured is Christina Mousadakos.
December 2019: Daniels Construction
Daniels Construction Company is a local, family owned business specializing in excavation. Established in 1934, they have worked in the Rolla area for four generations.
They do many types of excavation work, including track loader, backhoe, skid-steer, road grader and dump trucking. This includes demolition, land clearing and grading, commercial site preparation, basements, septic systems, roads, driveways, lakes, ponds. They also haul topsoil, fill dirt and gravel.
November 2019: Sybill's Saint James Restaurant & Gift Shop
Sybill’s has been proudly owned and operated by Tom, Janet & Sybill Scheffer since 2006. They are located at 1100 North Jefferson in St. James.
Visit https://www.sybills.com/ for more information.
October 2019: Phelps County Farm Bureau
Phelps County Farm Bureau is a membership-based organization that prides itself on amplifying the voices of Missouri farmers with a grassroots base.
Every one of Missouri’s 114 counties has a local Farm Bureau organization and at least one local Farm Bureau office. The Phelps County Farm Bureau has been in the community for over 50 years. They offer broad and flexible auto, home, life, health and small business policies.
With over 100 years of history advocating for Missourians, the Farm Bureau believes Missouri’s future is brighter than ever.
Local agents Chuck Medows and Chad Martin accepted the award.
September 2019: Thomas,Birdsong,Mills,McBride&Osborne,PC
Thomas, Birdsong, Mills, McBride & Osborne, P.C. is a full-service trial law firm focusing on personal injury, criminal defense, estate planning, real estate, business, and family law.
They were founded in 1971 and, since then, have maintained a reputation for excellent trial work in both civil and criminal cases. They are committed to providing excellent and practical legal service to their clients.
Whether recovering from an injury, filing for divorce, fighting criminal charges, or drafting an estate plan to prepare for the future, their attorneys have the experience and skill needed to handle each unique case.
August 2019: H & H Rolla
Over the last 28 years, H & H Rolla has:
- Employed many local people at the USGS building.
- Used almost entirely local contractors for work done in the building.
- Made many upgrades to the building.
- Fought to keep the USGS in Rolla, MO.
- Made many contributions including those to the Phelps County Historical Society and the Rolla Mission.
Pictured is Harold Helmkampf
July 2019: Null and Son Funeral Home
On March 12, 1924 R.S. Null opened his funeral home at Sixth and Pine Street. Mr. Null started with two homemade caskets and a lot of faith. He opened the business as Null Undertaking. In the middle 1930s, his son, S. Claude Null, joined the business. It remained in the family when Claude Null’s son, Paul E. Null, assumed leadership.
When Paul Null retired in 1990, he sold the business to his employees Beau Rothe and Marion Shults. Shults sold his interest in 1997. Beau passed away in 2004.
Null and Son Funeral Home has been in five locations. In addition to its first location, it has been on Seventh Street, Pine Street, Eighth Street and its current location. The funeral home has been at the Kingshighway location since 1960.
The funeral home is now owned by Associated Memorials, Inc. from Jefferson City, MO. It is managed by Rick Miller and Roger Licklider, both licensed funeral directors. Rebecca Weyrauch is a funeral director and embalmer and Valerie (Rothe) Licklider is the office manager.
Null and Son Funeral Home has been privileged to serve the Phelps County community for 95 years.
They are located at 1010 Kingshighway. For more information visit https://www.nullandsonfuneralhome.com/
June 2019: White Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
White Mechanical Contractors, Inc. has been serving the community since 1972. They provide heating, cooling, furnace & air conditioning installation, repair & maintenance in Rolla and the surrounding areas. They are dedicated to providing the best possible solution for residential and commercial properties.
White Mechanical Contractors carries a complete line of indoor comfort equipment with innovations that raise the standards of comfort and reliability, including air conditioners, heat pumps, gas furnaces, programmable thermostats, humidifiers, ductless split systems, boilers, air cleaners, ultra violet lights, ventilators and zoning products. As licensed contractors and specialists, they have earned a reputation for doing the right job the first time and can be counted on to provide a system and solution that fits each home or business with their unique needs.
They are located at 11080 Twitty Drive. For more information visit www.whitemech.com.
May 2019: Webster University
The Webster University Rolla Metropolitan Campus was founded in 1996, and hundreds of students have earned graduate degrees since that time. The first program offered at the Rolla campus was the Master of Arts in Counseling degree, and that is still the most popular option for Rolla students. Other degree programs now offered at the Rolla campus include the Master of Arts in Human Services, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Health Administration. Classes at the Webster Rolla campus are offered in the evenings in a convenient nine-week format. All of the campus’s professors still work in the fields in which they teach, and they regularly bring their real-life experiences into the classroom. Many of the professors have been part of the Rolla campus for several years, including David Duncan and Bennie Shriver, who both have been on the faculty since the very beginnings of the campus.
Dr. Greg Edwards serves as the Webster Rolla director, and other members of the Webster Rolla staff include Tracie Isakson, representative, and Melissa Ganz, department assistant. The campus is located at 1103 Kingshighway in Rolla. For more information about the Webster University Rolla Metropolitan Campus, visit www.webster.edu/rolla or email rolla@webster.edu.
March 2019: Phelps County Industrial Solutions
Phelps County Industrial Solutions, formally known as the Rolla Area Sheltered Workshop, mission is to provide meaningful employment to people with disabilities and enhance the quality of life for people served through vocational growth, experience, and community inclusion.
PCIS first opened its doors in April 1970 and will be celebrating 50 years of business and service in April 2020. They continue to strive towards assisting individuals with disabilities in expanding their work skills to reach their desired level of independence. Through partnerships throughout the community, Phelps County Industrial Solutions continues to support their employees with inclusion in all aspects of community life. Through these actions, PCIS defends each person’s right to be productive and contribute toward their own welfare and that of their community.
February 2019: Archer-Elgin Engineering, Surveying & Architecture
Archer-Elgin Engineering, Surveying and Architecture (Archer-Elgin) is a full-service consulting engineering, surveying and architectural company that is home to a skilled, diverse and experienced team of highly trained and licensed professionals, supported by cutting-edge equipment and technology. We are dedicated to delivering personalized, full-service expertise in the fields of municipal engineering, land surveying and mapping, and architectural and construction services.
Our firm’s work is guided by our commitment to listen to our clients, earn and keep their trust, treat every project like it’s ours and work hard to exceed our clients’ expectations for communication, accessibility and responsiveness. We measure our success by our ability to become a valued member of our clients’ teams.
They are located at 310 East 6th Street in Rolla. For more information visit their website at www.archer-elgin.com
January 2019: Wiggins Abstract
Wiggins Abstract has been a respected member of the Rolla Business Community since the 1950’s, and a longtime Chamber member. Wiggins Abstract is the oldest operating Title Insurance Company in Phelps County, with roots back to the early days.
With seven full time employees and two part-time employees, the Wiggins’ staff offer more than 110 years of combined experience. The company offers title insurance, real estate closings, and service to all residents of Phelps County.
Wiggins Abstract is located at 308 N Rolla Street in Rolla. Call (573) 364-3521 for more information.