X-Business briefs

ADVANCE, Mo. -- River City Insurance Agency Inc. has opened at 310 S. Vine St.

GIFT SHOP OPENS IN DESLOGE

DESLOGE, Mo. -- Rustic Treasures Gift Outlet, 208 S. Desloge Drive, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting Oct. 3. The owners are Dave and Al Donze.

NEW STORES OPEN IN CAPE MALL

Three new stores have opened in Cape Girardeau's West Park Mall. Kitchen Collection sells bakeware, decorative items, barbecue equipment and more. The store has more than 200 locations, with the closest in Sikeston, Mo. All Brite Solutions is a home improvement store owned by Jeff Housley; he also owns locations in Springfield, Mo., Jonesboro, Ark., and Mountain Home, Ark. Playmoors video game club, owned by Tammy Biri, allows patrons to pay one price to play games on Wii, PlayStation 2 and 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Gamecube for a day. Susan Godorov, spokesperson for Centro Property Groups which owns the mall, says seasonal stores opening for the holiday season include Calendar Club and Hickory Farms.

PLAYPOWER EXITING FARMINGTON

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Playpower Inc. revealed Oct. 22 that it will close the Farmington manufacturing facility and relocate some of its services to Monett, Mo., by year's end. Farmington city officials received a message from company officials saying that Playpower Inc., based in Huntersville, N.C., would "work with all employees to transition them to the Monett facility 'where feasible'." The message went on to say, "Those employees who are displaced by this action and who are not transitioned to Monett, we will make every effort to engage local employers and community services to assist with their transition to other employment." The release referenced the transferring of the rotational molding operation to Monett.

CHAFFEE LICENSE OFFICE AWARDED

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- The Chaffee License Office, 129 S. Main St., has been awarded to a new agent, Ernst & Sadler Licensing. The group is associated with Dena Ernst of Jackson and LaTanya Sadler of Chaffee. Sadler is the current office manager; Ernst is also an employee with the office. The bid was chosen from the two submitted, and a 5 percent ($4,786) return to the state was included in the bid. The move follows a competitive bidding process implemented by Gov. Jay Nixon.

JACKSON CHAMBER HOLDS RIBBON CUTTINGS

The Jackson Chamber of Commerce recently held ribbon cuttings for Save-A-Lot, 1905 E. Jackson Blvd.; McCombs Funeral Home, 640 Independence, which has added a cremation center; Southeast Fitness, which has moved to 107 E. Adams St. in Jackson; and Pop a Lock.

STATESMAN EARNS NINE AWARDS

DEXTER, Mo. -- The Daily Statesman fared well in the 2009 Missouri Press Association Better Newspaper Contest. Awards were announced at the MPA convention held at Lake of the Ozarks. Nine awards were granted to The Statesman and three were earned by its sister paper, The North Stoddard Countian in Bloomfield, Mo. The Statesman took second place for Best Newspaper Design and Designer Debbie Lack took third for her entry in the Front Page Design division. Noreen Hyslop won third for "Missouri Loses a Leader," a feature story about the loss of Mike Keathley. Corey Noles took second for his photo of a Bloomfield fireman at a home fire. Mike McCoy earned Honorable Mention in the category of Best News Photo for his photo of a Richland Schools bus crash. This year's Progress Edition, "Beyond Hometown Roots," took third. McCoy earned two additional awards, a second place and a third, for a story about local business owner Ted Denkins and McCoy's entry in Best Rural Life/Ag Story on Hydroponics. In the category of Best Education Story, Hyslop took third for her feature, "Blunt fields questions from first graders."

The North Stoddard Countian earned two second place awards for Noles in the contest's Best News Photo category and in the Best News Story division.

HYPNOSIS CENTER OPENS IN CAPE

The Show Me Hypnosis Center, 353 Christine St., Suite 3, has opened in Cape Girardeau. Owned by Sherrel Zimmerman, the center offers hypnosis to help with stress management, athletic performance, memory enhancement, phobias, migraines and more.

BONNE TERRE CHAMBER HOLDS RIBBON CUTTINGS

BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- The Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce recently held the following ribbon cuttings: NYR Organic, owned by Tammy Atkisson; Alien Ink tattoo shop, 8 Bonneville Plaza, owned by Michael and Theresa Costello; Miss Kristen's Learning Center in Desloge, Mo., owned by Kristen Koch; and Caring Massage for Women Center, 118 E. School St., owned by Leona Fulton.

TRUCK REPAIR BUSINESS TO OPEN

Longtime truck driver Rodney Enderle plans to open a truck repair business in November. Hook Tractor and Trailer Repair, 2150 Bessie St. in Cape Girardeau, will perform a variety of work, from brake shoes to complete overhauls of 18-wheel big rigs. Enderle, who owns Hook Transportation, will employ his son Derrick Vangert and a part-time mechanic.

ANOTHER SALON OPENS IN CAPE

Salon 115, 115 Independence St. in Cape Girardeau, opened Oct. 26. The owner is Delia Campbell.

KENNET, MALDEN LICENSE CONTRACTS AWARDED

KENNETT, Mo. -- The Kennett and Malden license offices have been awarded through the competitive bidding process implemented by Gov. Jay Nixon. Both offices will remain at their current locations, with the Kennett office returning 7.5 percent of the office's revenues to the state to coincide with the bid.

Patricia L. Riggs of Kennett will continue to serve as agent for the Kennett License office. She has held the position since 2005 and was chosen from three bids that were submitted. James G. Burrow of Malden will serve as the new agent for the Malden License Office. Burrow, who was agent from 1989 to 2005, submitted the only bid. The Malden bid did not include a return to state.

Addtionally, the Bonne Terre License Office was awarded to the Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce, and the Ellington License Office was awarded to Rebecca D. Rhea.

SENATH, MARSTON RECEIVE GRANT FUNDING

SENATH, Mo. -- U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill announced Oct. 14 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide two Missouri communities with a total of $115,650 in grant funding through the Rural Development Program, which aims to improve the economy and quality of life in rural communities by supporting and providing government loans and grants. Funding was made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The city of Senath will receive a Community Facilities grant of $90,750 and the city of Marston will receive a Community Facilities grant of $24,900. The Community Facilities Grant program is a division of the Rural Development program and provides funds for construction, purchase and rehabilitation of essential community facilities in rural areas. Projects can include health care facilities, fire, rescue and police stations, libraries, schools, community centers and other public buildings.

COUNTERTOP BUSINESS OPENS

Cornerstone Countertops has opened at 1005 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. The business, owned by Stuart and Kristina Arthur, offers installation on a wide range of styles for the kitchen, bathroom or other areas of the home.

BUSINESS COLLEGE MAKES LIST OF BEST SCHOOLS

The Princeton Review listed Southeast Missouri State University's master of business administration on its list of the 301 best business schools. The university's MBA program, which started in 1996, is featured in the 2010 edition of the book. The organization considers institutional data and student surveys as criteria.

DELI OPENS IN FRANKCLAY

FRANKCLAY, Mo. -- Rocking L Deli opened in September at Route M and Old 8 Highway. The store, owned by Donna Lawson, offers sandwiches, beverages, hot dogs and ice cream.

CRAIN FUNERAL HOME HOLDS RIBBON CUTTINGS

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Oct. 14 for Crain Funeral Home, 829 N. West End Blvd. The funeral home was purchased from Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel July 1. The business held another ribbon cutting Oct. 15 with the Jackson Chamber of Commerce.

CAPE CHAMBER HOLDS RIBBON CUTTINGS

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce recently held ribbon cuttings for the following businesses: on Oct. 2, Kid 2 Kid, 2136 William St., Suite 196 and The Venue, 80 Independence Centre; on Oct. 8, Relentless Media, 113 W. Main St., Suite 4 in Jackson; on Oct. 9, Tailwinds R/C Hobby Center, 1 S. Plaza Way; on Oct. 16, Cape Auto Spa, 1902 N. Kingshighway; on Oct. 21, Qdoba, 3019 William St., Suite 101; on Oct. 22, Innovative Financial Planners, 1923 N. Kingshighway; and on Oct. 27, All Around Travel, 4 S. Pacific St.

HAYTI NONPROFIT AWARDED TAX CREDITS

HAYTI, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Economic Development has approved a Hayti not-for-profit organization for tax credits under the Neighborhood Assistance Program. Helping Ministry Neighborhood Development Corp. was approved for $146,708 in tax credits. The project will use the tax credits to train young people in vo-tech training of construction trades, DED or high school graduation and financial literacy classes. Trained crews will then work with the cities of Hayti, Hayti Heights and Homestown to bring residential homes up to code. After one year, they will be assisted in acquiring a full-time job, enter Job Corps, community college, or enter a labor-sponsored pre-apprentice or apprentice program.

The DED administers the NAP, which helps not-for-profit organizations raise funds by providing partial state tax credits to businesses that make contributions to approved community improvement projects.

SENATH TO GET NEW CELL TOWER

SENATH, Mo. -- Senath is the latest area to receive extended mobile coverage through AT&T's investment in local wireless networks. The new service will enhance coverage for area residents and businesses, as well as along Highway 412 toward Kennett, Mo. Senath city officials recently met with Marsha Haskell, regional director of external affairs with AT&T-Missouri, in recognition of the new tower.

P.B. CHAMBER HOLDS THREE RIBBON CUTTINGS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce recently held ribbon cuttings for the following businesses: Aire Solutions Heating and Air Conditioning, 1405 S. Broadway, owned by Connie and Tim Funke; Bluff Falls Corn Maze, owned by Dr. John Patty; and Farmers Insurance Group, 927 Pine St., with agent Jeff Jungbluth.

SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT COMES TO SPRIGG

Kingdom Kids Soulfood and BBQ restaurant is expected to open at 1 N. Sprigg St. in Cape Girardeau. The restaurant will serve comfort foods like mashed potatoes, meatloaf and collared greens, said Rev. Joann McCauley with House of Prayer. The place of worship, located next to Kingdom Kids, is affiliated with the restaurant.

NAPA CELEBRATES 100 YEARS

Auto Tire and Parts NAPA held a 100th anniversary celebration Oct. 5 at Osage Community Centre in Cape Girardeau. The event included displays from the company's suppliers, a meal and an address by former Miami Dolphin running back Larry Csonka. Auto Tire and Parts NAPA opened its first store at Broadway and Spanish Street in 1909 in Cape Girardeau; the company now has more than 40 locations in Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri.

NORANDA, TRCC PARTNER FOR TRAINING

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Three Rivers Community College has partnered with Noranda Aluminum, the largest employer in Southeast Missouri, to provide training programs for workers in the Bootheel. Gov. Jay Nixon announced Sept. 30 that the two have entered into an agreement with the Missouri Division of Workforce Development for a $2 million training program. He was at the Noranda facility to unveil initial components of an $8 million economic development package that includes the training program to be administered by Three Rivers. Nixon reported the program will help retain about 900 jobs at the plant. Three Rivers President Dr. Devin Stephenson said the partnership is through a program with the Missouri Division of Workforce Development called the Missouri Community College Job Retention Training Program.

POOL HALL MARKS 50 YEARS

D'Ladium, 1127 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, is marking its 50th year in business. J.R. Beaver, general manager of the establishment for 35 years, said Jerry Priest had a vision to start a pool hall, and on Oct. 15, 1959, he opened the Pladium. The pool hall added beer in 1968 and mixed drinks in 1972. New management took over Aug. 28, 2004, when the name was changed to D'Ladium. An anniversary celebration was held Oct. 17.

DEXTER RECEIVES GRANT FOR WATER PROJECT

DEXTER, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Economic Development has announced that the city of Dexter has been approved for a $355,000 emergency Community Development Block Grant for a wastewater improvement project. The grant will be used to install a pump station that will handle all of the wastewater discharged by Tyson Foods Inc. Dexter's 12-inch and 15-inch gravity sewer lines that serve Tyson Foods, Dexter's largest industry, can no longer carry the wastewater flow from the facility during peak production.

SCOTT CO. RECEIVES WATER SYSTEM GRANT

BENTON, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Economic Development has approved Scott County for a $20,251 emergency Community Development Block Grant for a water system improvement project. Funds will be used to install a temporary domestic well to serve Thomas Kelley School until it can connect to the public water system.

UPDATES

MY DADDY'S NOW OPEN SUNDAYS

As of Nov. 1, My Daddy's Cheesecake in Cape Girardeau is open Sundays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

DRIVER STATION HOURS EXPANDED

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- The state driver examination station, located at the Ste. Genevieve County Services Building at 255 Market St., expanded its hours beginning Oct. 26. The station is now open for driving tests from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every second and fourth Monday of the month.

DRURY EXPANDS TO PHOENIX

Drury Hotels, which started in Cape Girardeau, has opened a hotel in Phoenix. The opening of Drury Inn & Suites Pinnacle Peak marks the latest for the company's westward expansion, which includes hotels in Flagstaff, Ariz., and Las Cruces, N.M.

SLUMBERLAND SEES CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP

Jack Ford purchased Slumberland Furniture, 1809 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, from David Patrick in July. Patrick is now marketing a device that releases fragrance as it prevents toilet paper rolls from unwinding. He will market the product on infomercials in December and hopes to eventually sell it in stores. Patrick said his product will save up to 25 percent of wasted toilet paper consumption.

CAPE ELECTRICAL ACQUIRES NEW STORE

Cape Electrical Supply Co. has acquired Beck Electric Co. in Kennett, Mo. Beck Electric founder Bill Beck will remain involved in the business, as will his two sons and grandson. This is the 21st store Cape Electrical has acquired.

WAYNE CO. LICENSE OFFICE MOVES

PIEDMONT, Mo. --The Wayne County license bureau closed its Greenville location Oct. 30 and reopened Nov. 4 in Ralph's Supermarket at Piedmont. The Piedmont Chamber of Commerce won a one-year state contract with an optional three-year renewal through a competitive bidding process.

P.B. LICENSE OFFICE MOVES

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Poplar Bluff License Bureau closed its Northtown Pharmacy location Oct. 2 and reopened Oct. 7 in Poplar Bluff Square Shopping Center. Alternative Opportunities Inc. was awarded the Butler County fee agent contract by the state following a competitive bidding process. Gary McMurtrey, director of license office services for A.O. Inc., said all employees will remain the same at the new office, which offers more space and parking. A.O. remodeled the 2,000-square-foot building, formerly Fuller's Jewelry Store, located next to Croy's Perfect Press.

DAY CARE EXPANDS

A day care with locations in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Perryville, Mo., has expanded. In March, Just Babies, a day care for children up to 2 years old, opened in Cape Girardeau near its sister business for older children, Just Kids. On Nov. 1, Just Babies opened at two locations in Jackson, 608 Rosamund St. and 1327 E. Main St.

MOTORCYCLE DEALERSHIP CLOSING

American Rebel Motorcycles, 839 S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, is closing its doors. A store employee cited the sour economy and a decline in sales as reasons for the closure.

IBS HOLDS GRAND REOPENING

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- IBS Print and Promotions has moved to the old Titan Gym location on South Main Street in downtown Fredericktown. A grand reopening was held Oct. 5 with State Representative Shelley Keeney, friends, family and members of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce.

GIFFORD LUMBER RECEIVES HONOR

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- Missouri Representative Shelley Keeney recently presented Gifford's Lumber Company with a House of Representatives Proclamation congratulating the business on its 80th anniversary.

RECYCLING CENTER SWITCHES HOURS

The Jackson Recycling Center switched to winter hours Nov. 7. The center is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays through March 27, 2010.

CAPE AIR WINS BID FOR PASSENGER FLIGHTS

Cape Air of Hyannis, Mass., has won the bid for passenger flights at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport and was expected to begin service Nov. 8. On Oct. 22, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded a two-year Essential Air Service contract to Cape Air, an employee-owned airline that built its business flying between Boston and the islands off Cape Cod. The airline also won contracts for the Williamson County, Ill., Regional Airport, serving Marion, Ill., and the Quincy, Ill., Regional Airport. All flights will go to St. Louis. Cape Air's contract calls for four round-trip flights daily on weekdays and two flights on Saturdays and Sundays. Cape Air will fly twin-engine Cessna 402 airplanes, capable of carrying nine passengers. The airline will be given a federal subsidy of up to $1.47 million for Cape Girardeau if it completes all flights.

HOLLYWOOD VIDEO CLOSES

Hollywood Video, 127 Siemers Drive in Cape Girardeau, closed Oct. 28.

DEVELOPMENT

CANDLEWOOD SUITES BEGINS CONSTRUCTION

Land is now being cleared for the Candlewood Suites hotel to be built near Highway 74 and Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau. Tom Kelsey, a broker with Lorimont Place Ltd. who handled the transaction last fall for Farmington, Mo.-based ARV Group, said he's working with several prospective buyers for other developments in that location. One of those is Pajco, which is expected to break ground on a Rhodes 101 station in 2010.

WALMART BEGINS RENOVATION

DESLOGE, Mo. -- The Desloge Walmart has begun an extensive renovation and will soon represent the latest in Walmart's store design and customer experience. The new design is based on feedback from customers and will feature a clean, open and bright new look in the store with wider aisles, low-profile shelving, a bright interior paint scheme, and lighting and easy-to-read signage. The store will remain open during the renovations, though most construction and moving will be completed overnight. The store hired approximately 50 temporary associates to help with the remodel.

JACKSON TO SEE NEW SUBDIVISION

Construction is expected to begin in March on another subdivision in Jackson. During its Oct. 12 meeting, the Jackson Board of Aldermen approved preliminary plans for the Meadows at Oak Creek. Located near Jackson Middle School off Route D, the subdivision will have six lots. Developer Brandon O. Williams said each home will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The action marks the 13th new subdivision consisting of at least three lots in Jackson since 2002. Seven new single lots and 25 additional phases to established developments, both considered subdivisions by the city, have also been added in the last seven years.

FIRE STATION CONSTRUCTION APPROVED

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- The Farmington City Council gave final approval Oct. 26 for construction of a $3,000,000 fire station downtown. The contract for construction was awarded to Brockmiller Construction, based in Farmington, which submitted a bid of $2,998,950. The new facility will be a five-bay building with office, living, training, communications and equipment storage space. It will be built off Columbia Street, adjacent to the police station on property which formerly housed Wohschlaeger Auto Body. Work was expected to begin in upcoming weeks and be completed next year.