Open for Business: Downing Street Pour House

Downing Street Pour House
A Hollister pub that debuted in 2017 expanded to Springfield with the Aug. 21 opening of Downing Street Pour House at 1724 E. Battlefield Road. The restaurant fills a roughly 5,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by Jason’s Deli, which shuttered in 2019. Downing Street’s ownership group of Derrick Melugin, Jason Roberts, Tammy Roberts and Brad Leighninger teamed up on the venture with franchisee Matt Arnall. The group is the same behind barbecue eatery Gettin’ Basted. Shileene Juber, Downing Street managing partner, said the pub employs 60, declining to disclose startup costs or lease terms. Downing Street’s menu serves up American comfort food, such as wings and burgers, as well as traditional pub classics, including fish and chips and shepherd’s pie. Prices are generally in the $8-$18 range, according to its website. Juber said the restaurant was originally set to open in May, but infill work was behind the delay.
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-
11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Phone: 417-427-7171
Web: DSPourHouse.com

Whitaker Publishing LLC
An ownership change among family members took place Aug. 31 for 417 Magazine operator Whitaker Publishing LLC. Founders Joan and Gary Whitaker sold the company to their daughter, Logan Aguirre, who previously served as its president and associate publisher. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Whitakers will continue to be involved in advisory roles. Aguirre has worked for the company since 2006, and is taking over the publisher position with the ownership change. The Whitakers created Whitaker Publishing to purchase 417 Magazine in 2001. Radio 2000 started the publication in 1998. Whitaker Publishing added 417 Bride in 2003, 417 Home in 2004 and Biz 417 in 2016, said Dayle Duggins, audience development director for Whitaker Publishing. She said the company, which operates at 2111 S. Eastgate Ave., employs 25.
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Phone: 417-883-7417
Web: 417Mag.com

Re/Max House of Brokers
The Re/Max House of Brokers franchise business is now under the ownership of Ron Hartman, as of Aug. 10. Hartman said he purchased the real estate agency from Thomas Barr, Dan Clark, Wayne Fredrick, Lina Robertson, Jim Stewart and Kay Van Kampken. Financial terms were undisclosed for the deal, through which the previous owners remain on board as agents. Hartman said he is the first sole owner of the agency, which has had as many as 12 owners in the past. He has worked with the agency for more than a decade. Hartman said Re/Max House of Brokers would maintain its name and franchise relationship with Denver, Colorado-based Re/Max Holdings Inc. (NYSE: RMAX). Remax.com shows additional southwest Missouri offices in Branson, Monett, Joplin and Shell Knob. Re/Max House of Brokers, which mainly handles residential real estate, posted a sales volume of $140 million during the past 12 months, Hartman said. The local agency has 43 agents, he said, noting the franchise’s headquarters is at 3745 S. Fremont Ave., Ste. A.
Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday
Phone: 417-887-5333
Web: Remax.com