Business briefs

RIBBON CUTTING HELD FOR BROADWAY

A ribbon cutting was held Oct. 31 to celebrate the end of the Broadway Corridor Project in Cape Girardeau. Road closures related to the project ended on time and lasted six months, according to a Cape Girardeau city government blog post. Major street improvements are finished, including a new street surface with decorative enhancements, new lighting and landscaping. Final improvements, which include benches, trash cans, bike racks and plants, will be finished in the next few months, city officials reported.

NEW BUSINESS TO HELP NEW RESIDENTS

A business offering concierge services for new Cape Girardeau residents launched in early October. New2Cape provides 24/7, on-call assistance per prearranged contract. On-call assistance is available in two formats: passive, where the new resident calls as needed, and assertive, where New2Cape follows up with new residents to assist and ensure there are no issues. Welcome packets, community tours, escorts and on-site services are available to help new residents and their families settle into the community. Founder Marie Gladue has more than 20 years of experience creating orientation and on-boarding processes in corporate environments, most recently for Saint Francis Medical Center. Gladue created the service after her experience moving to Cape Girardeau in 2010. For more information, visit www.New2Cape.com.

BROWN'S SHOE OPENS IN NEW LOCATION

Brown's Shoe Fit Co. opened Oct. 10 in its new location at 201 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau. The space was previously occupied by Talbots. Brown's had been in downtown Cape Girardeau since opening in 1965.

TRUCK SERVICE OPENS SCOTT CITY LOCATION

Norrenburns Truck Service, known as NOTS, opened a new location in Scott City to cover Southeast Missouri. The Nashville, Ill.-based company operates as a "less-than-truckload" freight service in the Midwest. Tom Kelsey, commercial broker with Lorimont Place Ltd. who handled the real estate transaction, said the company has moved into an office and warehouse cross dock facility at 3400 Willow Drive in Scott City, just across the street from the Cape Girardeau United Parcel depot. NOTS has been operating in the region for some time and, with an increase of business, chose to open a local redistribution center and office. The company is already operating at its new, and some new employees were hired locally.

RELENTLESS COMPLETES 3-D ANIMATION PROJECT

Relentless Inc., a film and digital media firm in Cape Girardeau, contributed to a product launch for Case IH's new Steiger Rowtrac series of tractors. Relentless created motion graphics and 3-D animation to explain the Rowtrac systems and its advantages. The Relentless team worked on the project with Case IH teams throughout the United States and abroad. The Steiger Rowtrac animation project was led by Drew Janes, Halee Janes and Vlad Kovalenko with a supporting team of animators, motion graphic artists and other staff. Relentless also contributed to the product photography and its photos appear in the new Steiger flipbook, brochures and the Case IH website.

LEARNING CENTER OPENS IN DESLOGE

DESLOGE, Mo. -- The Desloge Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Oct. 2 for Jump Start Learning Center, 312 N. State St. Jamie Ayers owns the center, which serves children from birth to age 5.

HUB'S PUB EXPANDS

BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- The Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Hub's Pub, which has expanded into a restaurant/bar and now offers lunch specials.

GOOD EARTH TIRE CUTS RIBBON

BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- The Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Good Earth Tire and Auto, which opened in early September at 49 Berry Road. The owners are Kevin and Janice Bess and James and Lisa Merseal.

ROBINSON AWARDED GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Robinson Construction Co. was awarded three government task orders for projects totaling approximately $10 million in contract value. The task orders come as a result of the Multiple Award Task Order Contracts Robinson Construction holds with several government entities. Robinson currently holds 13 MATOCs for work in 12 different states and for seven different branches of the government. The contracts are for maintenance, repair, design-build and design-bid-build construction projects. The task orders recently awarded to Robinson include a $6.9 million community living center at Colmery O'Neil VA Medical Center in Topeka, Kansas; repair/replacement of military family housing sewer/domestic water mains at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas, $2.7 million; and an asphalt pavement repair project at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center in Camp Douglas, Wis., $280 million. Robinson will perform as general contractor on these projects.

BELL OPENS CHEMICAL AND SUPPLY BUSINESS

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Jeremy Bell opened In-Avent Chemical & Supply Co. on First Street in Marble Hill, next to Abbigayle's, the Banner Press reported. The business provides cleaning and maintenance products for industrial, automotive, wastewater treatment, government, medical, schools and other businesses. Bell developed the business from a traveling operation based in Mountain Grove, Mo., to his first retail store in Marble Hill.

GROVES OPEN REMODELING BUSINESS

GLEN ALLEN, Mo. -- Misty and Robert Groves launched All Phase Improvements II based out of their home in Glen Allen, the Banner Press reported. Robert Groves previously owned a home improvement business in Texas. He does every aspect of home remodeling except roofing.

SALON HAS NEW NAME, EMPLOYEES

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Jean's Beauty Salon has been renamed Total Results Salon. Owner Jean Green has also added Heather Strong and Danielle Beel to the staff.

DISCOUNT STORE OPENS IN MARBLE HILL

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Melissa Shands opened The Discount Store on Sept. 22 in what used to be the Archery Shop on Highway 34. The store sells canned and packaged grocery items, detergent, cleaning products and more. Shands also works as a bus driver for Woodland Schools.

SPORTING GOODS STORE COMING TO CAPE

Work is beginning on a $1.8 million retail development between Sam's and Kohls off Siemers Drive in Cape Girardeau. Academy Sports + Outdoors will build a 71,680 square-foot store at 270 Shirley Drive, according to a building permit application filed with the City of Cape Girardeau. The Texas-based outdoor lifestyle retailer offers hunting, fishing and camping equipment along with sports and leisure products, footwear, apparel and more. The retailer has more than 140 stores across the U.S., including Joplin and Springfield, Mo. The property is owned by Drury Development Corp., based in St. Louis.

BLUFF BURGER CUTS RIBBON

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Bluff Burger & Brew, now open at 4806 West Blvd. Seth Gragg and Blake Collins own the business.

SOMEWHERE IN TIME OPENS IN P.B.

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Somewhere in Time, 2170 N. Westwood Blvd. Roger Hogg owns the business and Beth Nichol is the manager.

MBA PROGRAM FEATURED IN PRINCETON REVIEW

Southeast Missouri State University's Master of Business Administration program is an outstanding business school, according to The Princeton Review. The education services company features the program in the 2013 edition of its annual guidebook, "The Best 296 Business Schools," published Oct. 9. The Princeton Review's survey asked 19,000 students at 296 schools for opinions on their schools' academics, student body and campus life as well as about themselves and their career plans. The Harrison MBA program at Southeast has been recognized in the publication for more than six years. More information is available at www.princetonreview.com/business-school-rankings. aspx.

DANCE CENTER OPENS IN CAPE

The Dance Center in Perryville, Mo., opened a new studio at 2117 William St. in Cape Girardeau's Heritage Square. The center offers ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, hip hop and contemporary dance classes. A ribbon cutting was held Oct. 23.

ADULT DAY PROGRAM OPENS IN SIKESTON

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Wyatt's Dream Center Adult Day Program for the Disabled and Elderly. Melissa Stewart is the business owner and administrator.

NEW STEAKHOUSE, HOTEL COMING TO SIKESTON

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Sikeston will be getting a new steakhouse and hotel to wrap up a local developer's project on the south side, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported. Two tax increment financing redevelopment plans were approved as emergency bills by the Sikeston City Council during a special meeting Oct. 15. Both were approved as emergency bills to help the projects move forward and meet construction timeline goals. Council members first approved a plan by Six Thirty Two to put a Colton's Steak House on a new street to be called Hospitality Drive, just off Brunt Boulevard east of Break Time. The $2.7 million project is eligible for $431,262 in TIF reimbursements. The council then approved a plan from Select Sikeston Hospitality to build a new Holiday Inn Express, also on Hospitality Drive. The $6.8 million hotel project is eligible for $475,000 in TIF reimbursements. Reimbursements for project costs will be derived form 50 percent of sales taxes and 100 percent of property taxes generated by Colton's and 100 percent of property taxes generated by Holiday Inn Express.

BUTCHER BLOCK OPENING IN ESICAR'S LOCATION

The Esicar's Old Hickory Smokehouse at 1157 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau is being transformed into a new meat shop: The Butcher Block. Peter Whisnanp, who purchased the building, has been transforming the interior of the building, which was damaged in a fire. The business will sell choice and prime beef and pork, as well as hams and sausages, 205 different seasonings, marinades and sauces, more than 30 types of charcoal and wood, and cheese, craft beers and local wines.

ART STUDIO OPENS IN CAPE

The Cateye Glasses Studio opened at 401 N. Clark St. in Cape Girardeau. The business, owned by Rosetta Whitten, offers weekly art classes for children, adult art workshops, Parents Night Out, Make It-Take It Saturdays and parties for birthdays and holidays.

RESTAURANT OPENS ON HIGH STREET

D-Rail's Bar-b-que opened at 3184 N. High St. in Jackson, next to Hubble Creek Antiques. D-Rail's, owned by Darrell White, offers pulled pork, hamburgers, nachos and more featuring homemade barbecue sauce.

SIKESTON CHAMBER HAS NEW OFFICE

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce moved to 215 N. New Madrid St., in the building that formerly housed the Sikeston Department of Public Safety.

SPARTECH BOUGHT BY OHIO COMPANY

Chemical company PolyOne Corp announced a deal to purchase St. Louis-based plastic products maker Spartech Corp., which has two locations in Cape Girardeau. Spartech employs about 230 people at its two Cape Girardeau facilities, one on Spartech Drive near Arena Park and a second on Nash Road. PolyOne, headquartered in Ohio, has more than 60 manufacturing and distribution facilities with operations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Spartech operates in the United States, Mexico, Canada and France, producing plastic resins, specialty plastic alloys and color and specialty compounds.

MENARDS COMING TO P.B.

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Menards will be the first major retailer to locate in the Eight Points Commercial Development on the northwest side of Poplar Bluff, the Daily American Republic reported. Jeff Otto of THF Realty in St. Louis said Menards will purchase 16 acres on the north side of Oak Grove Road near Bypass 67. Menards plans to construct a 162,000-square-foot home improvement store with an adjacent 40,000 square feet under an overhang space.

BLUFF POWERSPORTS MOVES TO LARGER LOCATION

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Bluff Powersports, formerly called Bluff Honda, opened in a new location on Highway 67 North, the Daily American Republic reported. At 20,000 square feet, the new store is more than twice the size of its previous location across the highway.

FEDEX HOLDS GRAND OPENING

SIKESTON, Mo. -- FedEx Ground and Delivery held a grand opening for its new building Oct. 23 at 2751 N. Main St., next to Orgill in Sikeston.

MEAT SHOP COMING TO MARBLE HILL

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Ed's Certified Meats will open this fall on Highway 34 East near Marble Hill, according to The Banner-Press. The business, owned by Eddie Eaker, will open as a meat processing plant with a retail store. It will sell fresh beef, pork and lamb as well as fresh seafood from a supplier in Mobile, Ala.

TRAIL OF TEARS BAR AND GRILL NOW OPEN

Trail of Tears Bar and Grill opened at 519 Good Hope St. in Cape Girardeau. USA Veterans, a not-for-profit veterans group led by Rodger Brown, operates the restaurant. The building was last home to The Pink Squirrel nightclub, but most know it as the former Ed's Bar, which occupied the building for more than 50 years. Trail of Tears has a limited menu featuring cheeseburgers, riblet sandwiches, hot dogs and brats, with plans to eventually add a buffet. Proceeds will help fund USA Veterans projects, including the annual Fourth of July celebration and fireworks at Arena Park.

LE BOUNCE TOO OPENS IN WEST PARK MALL

LeBounce Too, an indoor fun arena designed for children ages 8 and older, will open this holiday season in the former movie theater location at West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau. LeBounce Too will have more than 11,000 square feet of activity space, including an arcade, zip lines, inflatable bouncers, bazooka ball, paintless paintball, dodge ball and more. It can also be reserved for private parties. The original LeBounce location will remain open inside the City Centre on Tanner Drive.

DEXTER ADDS GRILL AND BAR

DEXTER, Mo. -- Weeks Grill and Bar opened at 1908 N. Outer Road. A ribbon cutting has been held with the Dexter Chamber of Commerce.

CHAMBER HAS TWO NEW MEMBERS

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce added two new members: Dalton D. Denman, sales representative with Western & Southern Life in Marquand, Mo., and Travis Elfrink, Bollinger County commissioner.

PERRYVILLE HONORED FOR EXCELLENCE

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Perryville's community efforts and projects were recognized at the Missouri Community Betterment Conference in Lake Ozark, Mo., where the city received three first-place awards, the Perryville Republic-Monitor reported. MCB helps Missouri communities enhance their quality of life through community development and encourages cities to submit the top projects they feel better their town. Melissa Hemmann, executive director of the Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce, said the city submitted several projects, including the newly implemented TIF district, Challenger Baseball, the recycling center and the Ladies of Charity Food Pantry. Perryville took first in its category for having the best collection of projects for towns in its population group. Perryville also submitted a youth-oriented project, Teen Council: Building Communities Together, placing first for its community category and winning the overall award for all youth groups, the Glenn Smith Youth Group of the Year Award.

P.B. AIR EVAC TEAM GETS REGIONAL AWARD

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Poplar Bluff Air Evac Lifeteam base was selected for the company's 2012 Region 1 Most Improved Base of the Year Award. Region 1 consists of bases in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Missouri. The award is presented to the base in the Air Evac Lifeteam system that has shown the greatest marked improvements in staff retention and market expansion in the past 12 months.

CLOTHING STORE OPENS ON MAIN STREET

Women's clothing store Stash is now open at 40 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau. Co-owners Emily and Jill Hoehne are a mother and daughter from Perry County. The store currently features winter coats, sweaters, dresses and a wide selection of scarves. Emily Hoehne previously worked at an independent clothing store in St. Louis and as a manager/apparel buyer for a boutique on the Delmar Loop. She earned a degree in marketing from University of Missouri-St. Louis. Jill Hoehne previously worked for a not-for-profit organization for 30 years.

NEW BUSINESSES HOLD RIBBON CUTTINGS

The following businesses held ribbon cuttings in October: Arcpoint Labs, 120 S. Missouri St. in Jackson; Stash, 40 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau; Muddy Water Crossfit, 749 Enterprise Drive in Cape Girardeau; and Unique Boutique, 1028 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau.

PULLOUT/SIDEBAR

Rustmedia to focus on social media marketing

Gary Rust II

Rust Communications, which owns the Southeast Missourian, is announcing the launch of a business division focused on multimedia marketing for small and medium-sized businesses.

The new division, called rustmedia, specializes in social media marketing via Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and other sites; business online reputation management; search engine optimization on Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.; affordable website development, including mobile optimization; brand management; commercial photography; and corporate and commercial video creation, including maximizing YouTube channels for marketing purposes.

The division is led by Gary Rust II, who previously was director of the company's MediaLab and digital operations.

Steve Turner

Creative director for the agency is Steve Turner, an award-winning video producer. Shad Burner, formerly director of alumni services at Southeast Missouri State University and coordinator of its iamsoutheast.com alumni platform, recently joined the company as a marketing and fulfillment executive.

"A lot of businesses know they need to be doing more online or in social media, but they don't have the time or expertise," Rust said. "This new enterprise, rustmedia, will help manage business' digital, print, photo and video marketing for them so business owners can focus their time on managing their businesses. We will do that mainly as a media-fulfillment arm in conjunction with Southeast Missourian advertising representatives, who already have trusted relationships with business owners and managers. But rustmedia also will work directly with those who need specialized solutions. Our consultative process is built on providing the most cost-effective, best results for businesses."

Shad Burner

Located at 307 Broadway, rustmedia will have a storefront grand opening in December. The startup enterprise includes 14 employees with specialties in digital and traditional media marketing, commercial photography, video and website services and design.