Business briefs

APPLE CREEK WINERY NOW OPEN

Apple Creek Vineyard & Winery opened Nov. 10 at 1930 County Road 401 in Friedheim. The winery, owned by Doug and Pat Hunt along with Matt and Shellie Gamel, is 2.8 miles west of Old Appleton at exit 117 off Interstate 55. The vineyard, first planted in 2006, includes six acres and six varieties of grapes. Wine is produced on-site by vintner Matt Gamel.

MATTRESS STORE OPENS ON KINGSHIGHWAY

America's Mattress opened at 304 N. Kingshighway, across from Culver's in Cape Girardeau. It is owned by brothers Pat and Mike Young who, along with their father Tim, operate Patrick Furniture, owned by their grandmother Katy Patrick. America's Mattress has a network of 400 locally owned and operated dealers across the U.S. The store features Serta mattresses, including the IComfort and Perfect Sleeper models as well as Americas' Mattress Brand.

TIO'S HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING

DEXTER, Mo. -- The Dexter Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Tio's Mexican Bar and Grill on U.S. 60 in Dexter.

CHAMBER HOLDS APARTMENT RIBBON CUTTING

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- The Farmington Chamber of Commerce and Hartle Management Agency held a ribbon cutting Oct. 24 for the newly renovated Birch Tree Apartments at 45 Birch Tree Lane, just off Old Fredericktown Road in Farmington.

P.B. CHAMBER HOLDS RIBBON CUTTINGS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for The Market Place at Kellytown, a flea market at 66 Highway 142, across from Whiteley Park in Poplar Bluff. Bob Sutton owns the business. The chamber also held a ribbon cutting for Strubinger's Bakery and Cafe, 106 S. Main St., owned by Deanna Strubinger.

SCRUB STORE OPENS AT LORIMONT PLACE

A Sikeston, Mo., retailer opened a medical uniform store Nov. 5 in the Lorimont Place development at 260 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau. The Scrub Store, owned by David and Georgia McAfee of Sikeston, is in a 1,560-square-foot space between McAlister's Deli and Simply Swirled Yogurt. The store carries a full line of surgical and medical specialty clothing, footwear and accessories. The McAfees also own Quilting Fabrics and Crafts at 620 S. Kingshighway in Sikeston and for several years have handled medical-type apparel and accessories in that retail store.

SENIOR CENTER IS BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Marble Hill Senior Center was chosen from among the year's businesses of the quarter to be the Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce's Business of the Year, The Banner Press reported. The senior center, directed by Martha Peters, was chosen by a vote from chamber members. The award was presented at the chamber's annual banquet Nov. 2.

BOUTIQUE OPENS IN MARBLE HILL

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Mustard Seed Boutique opened Nov. 17 at 205 Graham St., near the Bollinger County Museum in Marble Hill. The shop, owned by Mike and Cindi Morris, sells homemade jams and jellies, local honey, homemade soaps and lotions, fine chocolates, baby clothing and items, and flaxseed that Cindi Morris grinds herself. The business also serves as a meeting place, serving coffee, tea and baked goods, and will host sewing and cake decorating classes, art displays and book signings. A grand opening and ribbon cutting were held Dec. 1.

ROCK CANDY BOUTIQUE OPENS IN SIKESTON

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Rock Candy Boutique on the corner of Kingshighway and Front Street in downtown Sikeston. The business, which sells fashion jewelry, held a grand opening Nov. 9.

KENNETT CHAMBER HOLDS RIBBON CUTTINGS

KENNETT, Mo. -- The Kennett Chamber of Commerce held ribbon cuttings in November for two new members: Mr. Tracy's Barber Shop and Mitchell Oxygen.

CHICK-FIL-A OPENS IN WEST PARK MALL

Chick-fil-A opened a location inside West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau on Nov. 15. Chick-fil-A's previous West Park Mall food court location closed in 2006. Chick-fil-A is now located just inside the main mall entrance, where Cinnabon and Durango Deli operated previously. It is open six days a week. This Chick-fil-A location, along with the free-standing restaurant across from the mall on Gordonville Road, are owned and operated by Brian and Tamilla House. Mall leasing agent Mark Frazier said the restaurant's lease extends through the holiday shopping season, but could continue after that depending on customer response.

BOOTHEEL YOUTH MUSEUM GETS NATIONAL MEDAL

WASHINGTON -- The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced the Bootheel Youth Museum of Malden, Mo., is one of 10 recipients of this year's National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The nation's highest honor conferred on museums and libraries for service to the community, the National Medal celebrates institutions that make a difference for individuals, families and communities. The National Medal was presented Nov. 21 at a celebration in Washington, D.C. The Bootheel Youth Museum has a small staff but makes a big impact, hosting more than 30,000 visits annually. The museum entertains, educates and inspires curiosity through 250 exhibits with a main focus on science and mathematics. The museum, along with its community partners and a team of AmeriCorps volunteers, also offers low or no-cost science demonstrations to local schools as well as traveling exhibits that visit 10 to 12 community fairs each year. Patsy Reublin is director of the Bootheel Youth Museum.

FIRST STATE COMMUNITY BANK TO PURCHASE BANK OF AMERICA LOCATIONS

First State Community Bank has agreed to purchase nine Bank of America locations, including those in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, the Southeast Missourian reported. Pending regulatory approval, it is expected that the transaction will be completed in the second quarter of 2013, according to a news release from First State Community Bank, which has headquarters in Farmington, Mo. Other Bank of America branches included in the purchase, all in Missouri, are in Boonville, Kennett, Mexico, Moberly, Richland, Rolla and Vandalia. The transaction will increase First State Community Bank's asset size from $1 billion in 2010 to approximately $1.7 billion, and it will give the bank 46 locations in Missouri. Once the purchase is complete, First State Community Bank expects many Bank of America employees to keep their current positions, according to the news release. First State Community Bank, founded in 1954, has expanded in recent years. Including the nine locations acquired from Bank of America, the company has added 23 locations since 2008, nearly doubling its size.

CLOTHING SHOP OPENS IN PARK HILLS

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- The Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for The Red Dot Shoppe, 602 E. Main St. in Park Hills. The retailer offers plus-size women's clothing and men's big and tall apparel. Dorothy Hurt and Angela Adams own the business.

FEMININE TOUCH HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING

BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- The Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce joined Ray and Patricia Murphy for a ribbon cutting at their new business, The Feminine Touch, 47 N. Allen St. in Bonne Terre. The business features a coffee shop, boutique and massage, nails and tanning services. Mitzi White manages the business.

SALON OPENS IN BONNE TERRE

BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- The Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Beautiful You Salon, 11A S. Division St. in Bonne Terre. Heather Thomas owns the salon, working with stylists Juli Lindsey and Dianna Coulter.

RECYCLING SERVICE OPENS IN P.B.

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Republic Services, a new recycling program in the Poplar Bluff area.

HOTEL STE. GENEVIEVE CLOSING

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- Hotel Ste. Genevieve and its restaurant, Cafe Ste. Genevieve, will close Dec. 31, owner Jami Inman-Smith told the Ste. Genevieve Herald. The two-story building at the corner of Merchant and Main streets is owned by Herb Fallert, who informed Inman-Smith that the building was being sold, though Inman-Smith said she was not given specifics about the building's future use. The white building at 1 N. Main St. was built around 1901 and is part of Ste. Genevieve's historic district.

BOLLINGER COUNTY CHAMBER ADDS MEMBERS

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- New Members of the Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce this month are The Mustard Seed Boutique, owned by Cindi and Mike Morris, and In-Avent Chemical & Supply Co., owned by Jeremy Bell.

SPORTS BAR COMING TO JACKSON

Wings, etc., a new sports bar and restaurant, is set to open in February in the former Movie Gallery location on East Jackson Boulevard in Jackson. Owner Joe Hobbs most recently worked at Logan's Road House. The Wings, etc., franchise is known for jumbo wings with 18 sauce choices. The menu also offers ribs, burgers, salads and wraps. Extensive interior renovations are underway and a patio will be added this spring. Hobbs expects to hire 40 to 50 employees, including his children, Allison and Austin Hobbs.

MOZARK REALTY OFFICE RELOCATES

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Mossy Oak Properties -- Mozark Real Estate moved to 947 N. Westwood Blvd., across from Hastings in Poplar Bluff.