SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — David Pere isn’t from Springfield, but after he purchased a building at the corner of Walnut and Campbell in downtown Springfield, he says he’s trying to help veterans in the area.
“Our business, basically, we do a whole bunch of free online content, YouTube podcasts, whatever. We help service members and veterans maximize their benefits using VA loans, fix their budgets, and help them find that purpose and identity after service to go make an impact in their community and allow them to live a life. You know, they fought for freedom. They, I think, deserve to go and enjoy some of that freedom,” Pere said. “We are planting a flag because we believe in the mission to help service members and vets achieve their wildest dreams, and we want to put those roots here and invest here because we love it here.”
However, one of his first moves after buying the building in October has sparked controversy in the Springfield arts community.
“I didn’t know Robert Smith. I’m not a Springfield native. I came here for the Marine Corps here for three years, 2013 to 2016, and I moved back here in 2021. It’s kind of interesting because when I would tell people about the building, they say which one is the southwest corner of Campbell and Walnut, they wouldn’t know what that meant,” Pere said. “I’d say, well, it’s the one with the Robert Smith mural on it. Only one person that I talked to knew what that meant, and it was, ironically, my next-door neighbor. “…