Business of the Month

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.

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.

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/

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

1. Employed many local people at the USGS building.
2. Used almost entirely local contractors for work done in the building.
3. Made many upgrades to the building.
4. Fought to keep the USGS in Rolla, MO.
5. Made many contributions including those to the Phelps County Historical Society and the Rolla Mission.

Pictured is Harold Helmkampf

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.

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.

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.

“USA Express has been serving the Mid-Missouri area (Rolla & Fort Leonard Wood) for over 20 years.  We have served well over one hundred thousand customers and driven over 5 million accident free miles!  All of our vehicles are late model, well maintained, clean and smoke free!  Our drivers are safe, reliable and courteous.  In most cases we come to your door step to pick you up, even at Fort Leonard Wood.

Our vans are equipped with GPS tracking devices.  Just one of the many safety aspects of our company.

We offer airport shuttle service as well as transportation for one day or multi-day trips.  USA Express will travel if there is 1 person or if you have a group as large as 14 people.  No worries if you have more than 14…give us a call we have motorcoaches available too!”

For more information visit usaxonline.com

Al West Collision Center has been serving customers in Rolla, St. James, Waynesville, St. Roberts, Salem, Cuba, Edgar Springs, Licking, Houston and beyond for over 45 years. At Al West Collision their goal is to provide exceptional quality work throughout each stage of repair and to ensure customers are completely satisfied. They have two locations: 713 Houston Rd in Rolla and 25515 MO-17 in Waynesville. Contact Randy and his team at (573) 364-8999 or visit alwestcollision.com

Benton Square Salon & Spa was name Business of the Month at the August Luncheon, August 15, 2018. Benton Square Salon & Spa opened in 2009 in the 100 year old Benton School Building, located at East 6th Street in Rolla. In 2015, the Salon was purchased from the original ower and in 2016 Benton Square qualified to become an Aveda salon.

The Salon & Spa occupies the top two floors of Benton Square and offers Aveda Color Services, Precision Cuts, Wig Styling, Facial & Body Waxing, Gel Manicures, Pedicures, Massage, Event Makeup, Spray Tans, Lash & Brow Tinting, Murad Facials, and Retinol Peels. Benton Square Salon has 15 stylists; 10 are independent booth renters and 5 are employed by Benton Square as Aveda Artists.

The Spa houses 3 massage therapists and 3 estheticians. Employees are provided continuing education and encouraged to be active in the community. A unique feature to the Salon & Spa is that they offer private suites for guests that have privacy needs such as due to religion or special needs.

Benton Square Salon & Spa is located at 400 East 6th Street, Rolla MO. You can reach them at (573) 426-4310. For more information visit bentonsquarerolla.com

Red Door Gifts has been located on Pine street in downtown Rolla for 13 years. It is a fun destination for trendy jewelry, purses, home decor, baby gifts, candles, seasonal florals and decor, and more. The owner, Katy Langston Combs, joined the team 10 years ago as the Manager when her Mother, Marilynn Langston owned Red Door Gifts. 3 years ago Katy was able to purchase Red Door Gifts from her mother and also started a clothing boutique next door, More Red Door Boutique. Last fall they were able to knock a hole in the wall to connect the two stores into one fun shopping destination that now includes trendy and affordable women’s clothing and shoes in addition to everything Red Door offered. They are excited to carry quality lines including Kendra Scott jewelry, Brighton jewelry, Vera Bradley, and Mariana jewelry, just to name a few.

Katy’s main goal is for customers to have an amazing shopping experience that includes awesome customer service and unique items that are hard to find elsewhere. Our staff strives to help customers find the perfect gift, perfect outfit, perfect home decor item for that certain spot.

New exciting things that have happened just in the past couple of months at Red Door is the launch of their “Happy Boxes” which is a subscription box that is delivered right to the customer’s door. Katy purchased a vintage camper to take to events and home parties as a mobile boutique. Also in the works is Corporate Happy Boxes for you to send to your business associates, staff, board members, and more.

Red Door Gifts is located at 700 N. Pine Street in downtown Rolla. Visit reddoorgiftsrolla.com for more information.