Business briefs

New coffee shop in Jackson

A new coffee shop, Coffee and Confections, opened in mid-October in Jackson. The business serves gourmet coffees, herbal teas and baked goods. Diabetic and low-fat foods are offered, as well. Wi-fi access is available.

Coffee and Confections is located in Shaper's Shopping Center near Delmonicos and Main Street Lanes off West Main Street. Hours are 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday. The owner is Melinda Wehrle.

Performing arts studio opens in Leadington

LEADINGTON, Mo. — A ribbon cutting ceremony was held in early October for Triplett & Propst Performing Arts Studio LLC. The business is located at 980 Woodlawn Drive in Leadington, Mo.

Owners are Michelle Propst and Teresa Triplett-Keddy.

New Jackson business offers gift baskets, UPS shipping

Granny B's Treasures and Gift Baskets opened in mid-October and offers gift baskets for special occasions. Customers can customize a basket by selecting items such as chocolates, stuffed animals, popcorn and peanuts.

For the past 15 years, owner Mark Dansby sold handmade gift baskets through his Internet-based business. When a building on the corner of Shawnee Boulevard and Old Cape Road became available, Dansby decided to expand his operations and add a retail store. He named the business after his mother-in-law, Barbara, whom everyone calls granny. The store is open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

'Green' car wash opens in Cape

A three-minute, eco-friendly car wash will open in Cape Girardeau between late December and early January. The car wash, owned by Boyce W. Church, will be located at 1902 N. Kingshighway.

The car wash will allow customers to park their vehicles on a conveyer belt that will transport the vehicle through a 130-foot tunnel for a three-minute wash. The water will pass through a recovery system to be recycled. Church estimates this feature will save him hundreds of dollars each month.

Kontek earns HUBZone award from SBA

NEW MADRID, Mo. — In early September, the U.S. Small Business Administration, along with the U.S. Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Council, announced that Kontek Industries, Inc., was selected to receive one of its 2008 Annual HUBZone Awards for obtaining the second largest HUBZone contract awarded in the Midwest for FY07. The $5.2 million contract was awarded to Kontek by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a military construction project at Ft. Riley, Kan.

The HUBZone Empowerment Contracting program provides federal contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses located in distressed areas. The program seeks to foster the growth of these small businesses as viable federal contractors for the long term as well as empower communities, create jobs and attract private investment.

Medicine Shoppe earns top rank

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — For the second consecutive year, Medicine Shoppe pharmacies have been awarded top honors for customer satisfation among retail pharmacy chains by J.D. Power and Associates.

The 2008 J.D. Power and Associates study results show Medicine Shoppe pharmacy's customer satisfaction score at 837 out of 1,000, exceeding the industry average for chain pharmacies by 68 points. The average score for chain pharmacies was 805.

Medicine Shoppe's Sikeston location is owned by Ernie Moxey. It is at 613 S. Main and the phone number is (573) 472-2622. The Cape Girardeau store is located at 864 N. Kingshighway, and the phone number is (573) 334-4761.

Minimum wage increase confirmed

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Effective Jan. 1 , Missouri's minimum hourly wage will increase by 40 cents, from $6.65 to $7.05 per hour.

"In August, the Department released preliminary data projecting an increase to Missouri's minimum wage by 40 cents," said Todd Smith, Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR) Director. "A review of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July 2008 confirms the Missouri minimum wage rate will increase to $7.05 effective Jan. 1, 2009," Smith added.

Missouri's minimum wage law required the DOLIR director to determine by Sept. 30 any required adjustments to the minimum wage earnings based on changes in the CPI. The confirmed rate change announced today is based on a 6.0 percent change in the CPI between July 2007 and July 2008. The minimum wage law applies to all businesses/employees that are not specifically exempted.

For more information call the Division of Labor Standards at (573) 751-3403 or visit www.dolir.mo.gov/LS/minimumwage/index.asp.

SBA seeks nominations for '09 awards

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The local office of the U.S. Small Business Administration is accepting nominations for its 2009 Small Business Week awards. Each year the U.S. President designates a National Small Business Week to celebrate and honor small business owners and their accomplishments.

The SBA's St. Louis District Office will accept nomination packages until Nov. 14.

Nomination packages are due in to the St. Louis SBA office, 200 N. Broadway, Suite 1500, St. Louis, MO 63102 no later than Nov. 14 for judging. A district winner will be selected for each category. For more information, contact Patti Guttmann at (314) 539-6600, x255, or e-mail patricia.guttmann@sba.gov.

Dexter Aldermen allow IDA to use city water

DEXTER, Mo. — The Dexter Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to do business with the Stoddard County Industrial Development Authority by selling them water. A project that has been ongoing since 2007, Global Fuels visited the Dexter Board and requested permission to use city water at their plant east of town.

The proposed water line will run nearly 2.5 miles from near the Tyson Feed Mill down County Road 712 to the plant. While Global Fuels uses no water in its production process, the main reason for the request was to bring fire protection closer to the facility.

The funding for construction of the line is coming from a grant applied for by the IDA.

Qdoba to open in Cape

Plans are in the works to open four Qdoba Mexican Grill restaurants in the next three years. In early- to mid-March, the first is expected to open in Cape Girardeau. Franchise partners are longtime Cape Girardeau automobile dealer Jerry Wieser, his son Keith Wieser, and his son-in-law, Richard Davidson.

The partners are finalizing a lease on a location on the west side of Cape Girardeau.

After Cape Girardeau, they plan to open one Qdoba in Paducah, Ky., and two in Southern Illinois.

Sikeston Drury Inn to open in January

SIKESTON, Mo. — Joe Pereles, company vice president of development at Drury Inn, says the chain expects to open its newest hotel in Sikeston, Mo., by January 2009.

The new five-story, 155-room hotel will join two existing Drury hotels, the Pear Tree Inn and the Drury Inn. Once Drury Inn and Suites is finished, the Pear Tree Inn's name will change to Thrifty Inn and the Drury Inn to Pear Tree Inn. Another entity's proposed conference center would sit next door to Drury Inn and Suites.

Artisan Contracting partners with Mine Safety

Cape Girardeau's Artisan Contracting, Inc., an affiliate of Bloomsdale Excavating Co. Inc, and Edward Lopez, south central district manager with the Mine Safety and Health Administration, have formed a partnership to promote safety and health in the mining industry.

Artisan is the second independent contractor in the United States to achieve this honor. The partnership allows both groups to continue developing safe practices to prevent accidents and incidents in the mining industry in Missouri and throughout the U.S.

Party and planning business opens in Cape

Trendy, a boutique and event planning business, has opened at 2031 Cape LaCroix Drive, Suite C., in Cape Girardeau. Owners are Misty Griffin and Joni Walters.

The business offers a women's spa and party room that will host such events as Christmas celebrations, wedding showers and children's parties. Trendy Spot will also carry maternity and children's clothing and items like organic lotions and heartburn tea for pregnant women.

The business is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturdays 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., and during events. The business can be reached at (573) 335-7800.

Dexter welcomes World Finance

DEXTER, Mo. — The Dexter Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Oct. 10 for World Finance Corporation, a new downtown business specializing in small loans, taxes and product sales. Rhonda Ray is manager of the business, Angie Cobb is assistant manager, and Mike Imig is supervisor.

Coldwell Banker honored

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Coldwell Banker Ruth Holloway Realty has been selected for the 2008 Best of Poplar Bluff award in the real estate agents category by the U.S. Local Business Association.

The USLBA "Best of Local Business" Award program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Contract Postal Unit opens in Cape

U.S. Postal Service officials have announced the addition of a Contract Postal Unit to provide postal services to customers on the west side of Cape Girardeau. It is located at First State Community Bank, 2527 William St., and open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

This is the second Contract Postal Unit to open in Cape Girardeau. The other is at 920 N. Kingshighway.The unit will be able to conduct the same business as the main post office at 320 N. Frederick St., with the exception of money orders.

Photo business opens in Desloge

DESLOGE, Mo. — A new photography business, Forever Framed, has opened at 1136 A3 N. Desloge Drive in Desloge, Mo. The family-run business, located in the Greentree Center, is owned by Laura Cantrell.

Motive Rail recognized

SIKESTON, Mo. — Semo Port Railroad's Board of Directors has recognized Motive Rail Inc. for another accident-free year operating the switching railroad at Semo Port. The railroad received the "Jake Award" from the American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association.

Sikeston business exhibits at expo

SIKESTON, Mo. — David's Rocking Chairs of Sikeston was among approximately 50 companies present at the Log Home and Timber Frame Expo Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 at the St. Charles Convention Center.

Pet groomer opens in Desloge

DESLOGE, Mo. — The Desloge Chamber of Commerce gathered recently to cut the ribbon for Heads and Tails Pet Grooming at 1136 North Desloge Drive. The business is owned by Lisa Harl and may be reached at (573) 518-1975.

Ribbon cutting held for loan business

DESLOGE, Mo. — Desloge Chamber members gathered recently to cut the ribbon for Littlemax at 405 North State Street. The business makes car title loans and can be reached at (573) 431-2334. Littlemax manager is Jessica Lewis.

UPS Store opens in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony in October for a new UPS Store. The store, located at 1901 N. Westwood Blvd. in Poplar Bluff, is owned by Jeff Long.

New boutique opens in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Sandra Davis has opened Koconut's Upscale Resale Boutique at 603 S. Westwood Blvd. in Poplar Bluff. The consignment retail business, located upstairs from Ruth's Treasures, features ladies' and children's clothing.

"We offer one-of-a-kind designer fashions at affordable prices," Davis said. She is a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School and Three Rivers Community College.

Stacy Burris is learning the management operations.

Elements boutique opens in Sikeston

SIKESTON, Mo. — Elements Salon Spa & Boutique has a new location in Sikeston, Mo. The owner is Madra Jones and manager is Terry Brewer-Cheatham. For the past six years, Jones has also operated Elements in Cape Girardeau.

The boutique features bareMinerals by Bare Escentuals and Smashbox cosmetics, and also offers make-up application for special events. Also offered are exclusive hair products, Circle E Candles, home fragrance lamps, skincare and Kashwear Robes. elementsBoutique employees are available to work one-on-one with customers.

For more information or to view elements in Cape go to www.elementssalon.net. A website specifically for the Sikeston Boutique is coming soon at www.elementsboutique.com.

The new boutique is located at 142 E. Front St., at the corner of Kingshighway in downtown Sikeston. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The phone number is (573) 472-6255.

Restaurant owner receives award

ST. CHARLES, Mo. — The St. Charles Golden Corral restaurant recently received a national sales award for having the biggest sales growth in 2007. Farmington resident Harry Robbins owns the restaurant, which he purchased four years ago. Gary Hurst serves as vice president of operations.

Ribbon cutting held for Final Finish

PARK HILLS, Mo. —The Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce gathered recently to cut the ribbon for Final Finish Painting, which offers a variety of home decor options. The business is located at 712 E. Main, Suite C, in Park Hills and may be reached at (573) 431-5799. The owner is Kimberly Fenn.

New shop opens in Bonne Terre

BONNE TERRE, Mo. — A store called My Sister's Place has opened in a Bonne Terre building that was once a little red schoolhouse. The specialty shop, co-owned by Flora Denton and Royce Vessell, will raise money for the SEMO Family Violence Council.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Oct. 31. The store is located at 7010 VoTech/Raider Road, in the old Big River Mills School building. The building has been painted pink for femininity and purple for domestic violence awareness. The shop will be open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays only.

The majority of the proceeds of every sale will go to the Violence Council. All gifts are sold for $30 or less. Available items include beads and boxes from Africa, Christmas ornaments, bath and body items, wine-related items, gifts for pets, children and babies, handbags, candles, antique furniture, and more.

Consignment store opens in Jackson

Lil Pea Patch, an infant and children's consignment store, has opened at 3860 E. Jackson Blvd. in Jackson. The store sells clothing, strollers, baby swings, car seats and walkers. The owners are married couple Misty and Dean Spencer.

Lil Pea Patch is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The store's phone number is (573) 243-6600.