Business briefs

UNIVERSITY, CAPE GIRARDEAU AWARDED GRANT FOR INCUBATOR PROJECT

Southeast Missouri State University and the city of Cape Girardeau were awarded a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to renovate a building and parking lot as part of the Creative Labs and Industries Incubator program, according to a news release from the university. Representatives of the Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Southeast broke ground Sept. 28 on the project at 612 Broadway. Upon completion, the project will house businesses in the creative industries, including architecture, art, design, fashion, film, music, publishing and software. The incubator will provide a collaborative environment for entrepreneurs to test the markets of products and services, fostering business ideas and creating jobs, according to the release.

ERBERT & GERBERT'S COMING TO CAPE

Erbert & Gerbert's Sandwich Shop announced in a news release that it will be opening eight to 10 locations in Missouri, including one in Cape Girardeau in the next three years. The sandwich shop began in Wisconsin and has more than 60 locations in the United States, with most of them in Wisconsin's surrounding states. The chain plans to open locations in St. Joseph, Joplin, Springfield, Columbia, St. Louis, St. Charles, Cape Girardeau, O'Fallon and St. Peters within the next three to five years, the release said.

BUSCH-HEISSERER PURCHASES MOBILE DOG SALON

Stacy Busch-Heisserer of Busch Pet Products in Cape Girardeau purchased the Zoomin' Groomer Mobile Dog Salon from original owner Ashley Hahs. Hahs started the business in 2010. Busch has hired Lynn McNally as the groomer; she has trained extensively with Hahs. Hahs will remain an integral part of the business as both mentor and fill-in groomer.

TRACTOR SUPPLY TO PROVIDE ANIMAL CLINIC

Tractor Supply Co. in Cape Girardeau began offering PetVet Clinic, a service of PawsPlus, in October. PetVet clinic offer individual and comprehensive vaccine packages for rabies, bordetella and parvo, and microchipping and heartworm tests and prevention, according to a news release from the company. The clinics will be offered at least once a month and will be staffed by a state-licensed veterinarian and a service team, the release said. The services are offered for cats and dogs only. No appointment is necessary and there is no exam fee.

LYNWOOD BAPTIST OPENS COUNSELING CENTER

Lynwood Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau has opened Midwest Ministry Care Center as part of its Greater Things Vision. The counseling ministry is affiliated with Lynwood Baptist but is a separate not-for-profit entity, said the Rev. Mark Anderson, senior pastor at Lynwood. The center, which began seeing clients in early October, uses both biblical principles and psychological theory. Anderson said it is a fee-based program, and rates are consistent with other counseling practices in the area. The center will work with clients on the fees, and the center is open to anyone who needs professional counseling. Kevin Coffee is director of counseling for the Midwest Ministry Care Center and pastor of discipleship at Lynwood Baptist. Jason Van Zee is staff therapist. He graduated from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Miss., with a master of arts in marriage and family therapy and counseling. As the practice grows, specialized staff may be added, such as a counselor for adolescents and another for chemical dependency.

JACKSON DISTRICT BREAKS GROUND FOR NEW SCHOOL

The Jackson School District held a groundbreaking Oct. 10 for its new elementary school at 455 N. Lacey St. Superintendent Ron Anderson said grading for the building is complete, footings are being placed and masonry work has begun. The school will be for kindergarten through fifth-grade students with an early childhood wing. It is being is financed with a bond of a little more than $16 million. The 105,000-square-foot building, which will sit on 15 acres, will be the largest elementary school in the district, Anderson said. The project architect is Warner Nease Bost Architects Inc. of Kansas City, Mo., and the contractor will be Brockmiller Construction of Farmington, Mo.

SOUTHEAST MBA PROGRAM RANKED BY PRINCETON REVIEW

Southeast Missouri State University's MBA program is one of the nation's most outstanding business schools, according to The Princeton Review. The company features the program in the new 2014 edition of its book, "The Best 295 Business Schools," published in early October. The Princeton Review's survey asks business school students about their school's academics, student body and campus life as well as about themselves and their career plans. In the profile on Southeast's MBA Program, Princeton Review editors describe the school as providing a "top-notch education at an affordable price." Editors describe Southeast as providing "an excellent bang for your buck" while not skimping on a quality education. Editors also commend the program for its entirely online MBA program, for-credit internships and short-term overseas programs.

ELITE TRAVEL RECOGNIZED AS PREMIER TRAVEL AGENCY

Elite Travel Inc. of Cape Girardeau was honored as a consecutive member of the exclusive Funjet Vacations 500 Club. Elite Travel Inc. first became a member of the 500 Club in 1998. The program recognizes travel agencies that are committed to offering products that will ensure their clients an incredible vacation experience. The Funjet Vacations 500 Club is a program based on relationships, recognition and rewards for travel agents who have had outstanding sales and service achievements in the last year.

BIG RIVER TELEPHONE RECEIVES EXCELLENCE AWARD

Big River Telephone Co. was selected for the 2013 Missouri Excellence Award by the Small Business Institute for Excellence in Commerce. Each year the SBIEC conducts business surveys and industry research to identify companies that have achieved demonstrable success in their local business environment and industry category. They are recognized as having enhanced the commitment and contribution of small businesses through service to their customers and community. Small businesses of this caliber enhance the consumer-driven stature that Missouri is renowned for. Big River has consistently demonstrated a high regard for upholding business ethics and company values.

COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM WINS STATE AWARD

Southeast Missouri State University's College Access Partnership Award Program won the Missouri College Personnel Association's 2013 Innovative Program Award, a news release from the university said. The award was presented Sept. 30 at the Missouri College Personnel Association's annual conference. College Access Partnership supports the university's recruitment effort of underrepresented and underserved students in Southeast's service region by connecting financial and academic support services to college access and completion programs that work with targeted student populations, according to the release. The program provides a need-based grant that matches an award from the partner organization or the student's Pell grant. With the state award, CAP-A's nomination is now forwarded to the national association, the American College Personnel Association/College Educators International, for consideration for the national innovative program award.

4 ACES BAR & GRILL CUTS RIBBON

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Oct. 18 for The 4 Aces Bar & Grill LLC, 3339 S. Westwood Blvd. in Poplar Bluff. John Fitzwater and Dora Smith own the business.

VETERINARY CENTER OPENS IN FARMINGTON

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- The Farmington Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Heartland Veterinary Center, 680 Walton Drive. An open house for the new clinic was held Sept. 29.

HVAC PROGRAM EARNS REACCREDITATION

The Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center's HVAC-R (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) program was granted renewal of its accreditation by HVAC Excellence, a not-for-profit organization that has served the industry since 1994. The HVAC-R program is run by CTC instructor Fred Brown. The two-year program serves 15 to 18 students, from high school juniors to adults. It is popular with students working toward an associate degree in the HVAC field because 36 credit hours can be earned and expanded through Southeast Missouri State University or Mineral Area College.

TITLE MAX OPENS IN KENNETT

KENNETT, Mo. -- Title Max is now open at 1422 First St. in Kennett. Nason Lane is store manager and Ross Taylor is general manager.

PIONEER ORCHARDS MARKET CLOSING

Pioneer Orchard's Market in Jackson closed Oct. 31. The owner of the business, Sam Beggs, is retiring. The business has been family owned and operated since the 1960s. It sells local produce and is well known for its pumpkin and apple selection in the fall. Beggs' Orchards in Jackson will open as normal next fall on harvest day, or the first Saturday in October.

BANTERRA BANK TO OPEN EAST PRAIRIE LOCATION

Banterra Bank will open a loan production office in East Prairie, Mo., at 1664 S. Highway 102. The loan office will primarily focus on agriculture lending, according to a news release from the bank. Banterra has more than 30 branches throughout Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri, Southwest Indiana and Western Kentucky. The bank began its Missouri expansion in Cape Girardeau in 2006.

YOGA STUDIO OPENS ON BROADWAY

Yoga East Healing Arts Studio opened Oct. 15 at 827 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. The facility offers yoga classes and education.

TOBACCO WAREHOUSE HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING

The Discount Tobacco Warehouse, 870 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting Oct. 18, according to an email from the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce. The business is part of a chain of 15 stores.

NAPOLI'S NOW OPEN IN JACKSON

Napoli's is open at 1815 E. Jackson Blvd., Suite B in Jackson. The restaurant is open daily and offers Italian cuisine such as pizzas, baked dishes and sandwiches.

FIBER STUDIO, YARN SHOP COMING TO CAPE

Yearning for Yarn will open in November at 208 Independence St. in Cape Girardeau. The fiber studio and yarn shop will sell materials for knitting, crocheting, spinning and felting, as well as offer lessons.

FIRST MIDWEST BANK CUTS RIBBON

First Midwest Bank celebrated the opening of its temporary facility, 1820 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, with a ribbon cutting Oct. 23, according to an email from the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce.

FIELDS CONSTRUCTION HAS RIBBON CUTTING

DEXTER, Mo. -- Fields Construction, 105 E. N. Main St. in Dexter, held a ribbon cuttling to mark its joining the Dexter Chamber of Commerce. The business focuses on commercial and residential construction and also does painting and restoration.

TATTOO STUDIO CUTS RIBBON

DESLOGE, Mo. -- The Desloge Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Oct. 8 for Docc's Custom Ink Tattoo Studio, which has a new location at 309 N. Desloge St. The studio specializes in coverups, portraits, black and gray and custom artwork. Thomas "Docc" Nutter owns the business.

GOODSON REALTY RELOCATES

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- The Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Goodson Realty, which relocated to 107 Strauss Drive in Park Hills.

BG'S HAS NEW OWNER

Jerry Lynn purchased BG's Olde Tyme Deli, 205 S. Plaza Way in Cape Girardeau, from Gary and Sandy Helwege, according to a recently filed business license application.

HAMBURGER EXPRESS UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

Hamburger Express, 902 William St. in Cape Girardeau, is under new management, complete with a new paint job and hamburger sign.

MEXICAN RESTAURANT OPENS ON BROADWAY

El Sol, a Mexican restaurant at 1105 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, opened Oct. 23.

CHAMBER CUTS RIBBON FOR NEW BUSINESSES

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Qdoba Mexican Grill, Cedar Falls Tactical and Harry H. Peterson III Agency held a joint ribbon cutting in October with representatives of the Farmington Chamber of Commerce to celebrate their recent opening, according to the Park Hills Daily Journal. The three businesses are at 700 W. Karsch Blvd.

FLOWER SHOP HAS NEW OWNERS, CUTS RIBBON

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Nov. 1 for New Leaf Flower & Plant Shop, 2403 Barron Road in Poplar Bluff, to celebrate the business' new ownership, renovations and holiday open house. The shop is now owned by Jennifer and Justin DeGonia.

CONSIGNMENT SHOP JOINS BOLLINGER COUNTY CHAMBER

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Cato's Second Time Around, an upscale consignment shop at 113 First St. in Marble Hill, has joined the Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce. Rita Cato owns the business, which sells clothing for men, women and children, as well as household items and used furniture.

DANCE ACADEMY CUTS RIBBON

MINER, Mo. -- Plies Dance Academy held a ribbon cutting for its new location at 205 Rodgers St. in Miner.

SPORTSPLEX HAS RIBBON CUTTING

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Oct. 30 for Ozark A-Team Sportsplex, 2801 Oak Grove Road in Poplar Bluff. The multifunctional facility offers indoor adult and youth leagues in soccer, football, kickball and dodgeball; indoor batting cages; an arcade center; an inflatable obstacle course; jousting; bungee run; sumo wrestling; human bowling; Crossfit classes; a sports bar and more.

GRUNWALD NAMED MUSEUM ADMINISTRATOR

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Jeff Grunwald was named administrator of the New Madrid Historical Museum on Sept. 1, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported. He became involved with the museum after moving to New Madrid with his wife, Malinda Dawson Grunwald, a native of New Madrid. Jeff Grunwald has a degree in history from Vanderbilt University and previously worked in telecommunications in Memphis, Tenn., and Phoenix.