Centered on a couple’s dream to open a bed-and-breakfast home in Independence, I first wrote about home-based businesses in early May. However, I focused the article entirely on Independence and whether the economy has played a role in increasing home businesses.
To the Blue Springs readers, I apologize.
Early last week, Troy and Tammy Rouse visited The Examiner’s office, looking for an avenue to spread the word about their new business venture, 5 Star Garage Door Service. I sat down with the Rouses in their Blue Springs home Monday morning and learned a bit more about the garage-door industry.
A 22-year veteran in garage door replacement and repair, Troy received his wife’s encouragement, and the two went into business less than a month ago. Tammy was formerly a stay-at-home mother with the couple’s two children.
“I decided that it was maybe time to make a change and do it for our future,” Troy said. “I felt like I had something to offer the public. She’s pretty much the driving force in starting it.”
He pointed at Tammy across their kitchen table. “She was the one believing. I was comfortable and secure in what I was doing, but she was more of the go-getter as far as doing it on our own.”
For now, the business doesn’t operate with specific hours or days; Troy said he’s accepted customers’ calls after 7 p.m. He sets up appointments based on service calls. If they want to replace or update a garage door, Troy will review their options and provide estimates. For more information, call 816-898-0193.
Both Troy and Tammy smiled when I asked what lessons they had learned in their first month.
“There’s a lot more to having your own business than I realized,” Tammy said. “It’s a lot different than knowing you have the security of going to a job; you have to go find the jobs so you can eat the next day versus having some place where you know you’ll get a weekly paycheck.”
Patience is an important virtue, she said. Troy said he is antsy and wants to help people.
“The phone’s not ringing as much as we’d like it to be ringing,” he said. “It’s a whole different ball game.”
Restaurants repeating
On May 2, 2008, an early morning wind storm destroyed an Arby’s restaurant at 2531 S. Missouri 291 in Independence. The restaurant, which was once a Wendy’s and was later converted into an Arby’s, is now being rebuilt in its former location. Less than five miles away, a brand-new Arby’s was constructed in 2008 at 20111 E. Valley View Parkway as the first development in the Trinity Woods project.
A new Burger King also recently opened at 11500 E. 23rd St. in Independence, about three miles west of a long-standing Burger King at 16703 E. 23rd St.
Other notes around town
Also on Missouri 291, a former Pizza Hut building that has been boarded up for some time is being remodeled for a TitleMax location, according to Jennifer Clark, director of the Independence Community Development Department. Based in Savannah, Ga., TitleMax is a privately owned title-lending company.
Lastly, The Custom Framer at 18675 E. 39th St., suite L, in Independence Plaza Shops near the former Circuit City, is closing. The business’ hours of operation are from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday and Monday. For more information, call 816-795-1909.
