Business briefs

ARTISAN GIFTS OPENS ON BROADWAY

Artisan Gifts, formerly Garden Gallery, opened Nov. 1 at 821A Broadway in Cape Girardeau.

WEST BANK BISTRO CLOSES

West Bank Bistro, 340 S. Lorimier St. in Cape Girardeau, had its last day of business Oct. 31. According to the bistro's Facebook page, if a gift certificate has not been redeemed, contact the bistro and they will "work it out." The Facebook page also stated the location will become a residence.

GREAT LAKES DREDGE AND DOCK COMING TO WATER STREET

The River and Lakes Group of the Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company LLC, a dredging and marine construction company, is moving equipment to the previous site of the Cape Girardeau Sand Plant at 1350 N. Water St. in Cape Girardeau. The property will be used as a repair facility for dredges and equipment, confirmed Scott McMahon, communications specialist for the company.

ELITE TRAVEL COMPLETES EXPANSION

Elite Travel celebrated its remodeling and expansion with a ribbon cutting Nov. 5 at its location, 354 S. Silver Springs Road, Suite C in Cape Girardeau.

ANTIQUE SHOP HOLDS OPEN HOUSE

UNIONTOWN, Mo. -- 531 Wash House, an antique shop in Uniontown, celebrated an open house in late September. The shop was opened by longtime friends Ruth Rellergert and Kathy Renner in June and occupies the original wash house and brick house it sits behind on County Road 531.

TRUCK CENTER EXPANDS, CUTS RIBBON

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Tag Truck Center held an open house and ribbon cutting Oct. 25 with the Farmington Chamber of Commerce to celebrate its recent expansion. Tag Truck Center is at 2880 Highway 67 South.

BARBER SHOP OPENS IN FARMINGTON

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Rowland's Barber Shop held a ribbon cutting Oct. 29 with the Farmington Chamber of Commerce to celebrate its recent opening. The barber shop is at 13 S. Franklin St. in downtown Farmington.

LEBOUNCE TOO RENAMED ORANGE MONKEY

LeBounce Too, inside West Park Mall, has been renamed the Orange Monkey, effective Oct. 31. John Haggerty, previous owner of LeBounce Too, and new business partner Dana Hukel say a new image and new activities are underway. Additions include new inflatable bouncers, paintball, bazooka ball, zorb balls, bumper balls, a two-story zip line and an arcade.

CAPE GIRARDEAU MERRY MAIDS FRANCHISE EARNS NATIONAL AWARDS

Merry Maids Cape Girardeau received several recognitions at the 2013 Merry Maids National Seminar, including the 2013 U-Can Rookie of the Year Award, 100 Grand Award and three Circle Awards. The National Seminar was held Oct. 10 to 12 in Nashville, Tenn. The U-Can Rookie of the Year award recognizes the top new Merry Maids franchise based on performance in its first 26 weeks of operation. The 100 Grand Award recognizes a Merry Maids operation's growth from one year to the next. Additionally, the local franchise earned three Circle Awards in its first year. The Circle Award is given to Merry Maids franchise owners and managers for reaching or maintaining specific weekly sales levels during the previous year. Bill Crowell is the owner of Merry Maids Cape Girardeau.

LOCAL UNITED WAY HONORED AS TOP-RATED

United Way of Southeast Missouri earned a prestigious 2013 Top-Rated Award by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews about not-for-profit organizations. The award was based on the large number of positive reviews that the United Way of Southeast Missouri received from volunteers, donors and clients.

SCREEN PRINTING BUSINESS OPENS IN POPLAR BLUFF

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a grand opening and ribbon cutting Nov. 5 for Stand Still Apparel, 1029 S. Westwood Blvd. The business, owned by Mark Wilson and Tim Strohmeyer, offers screen printing.

SWEET SHOP UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- The Ste. Genevieve Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Oct. 25 for Sweet Things Sweet Shop, the Ste. Genevieve Herald reported. Nichole French and Joy French, daughter and mother, became co-owners of the business Oct. 1. The store was previously owned by Terri Grither. Sweet Things sells a variety of food and nonfood items, including fine chocolates, baskets, garden ornaments, jellies, canned vegetables, soaps and lotions, home decor, jewelry, children's items and more.

BURGER SHOP OPENS IN PERRYVILLE

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Mary Jane Burgers & Brew opened at 102 N. Jackson St. in Perryville. In addition to burgers, the restaurant features 20 beers on tap, a beer club for adults and a study hall for students.

NEW BAR TO OPEN ON MAIN STREET

A bar called The Hi-Dive is set to open at 107 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau, where Roxy's Big Country Saloon formerly resided. The Hi-Dive will be an entertainment venue and will sell beer, wine and spirits.

DOG PARK OPENS IN CAPE

The City of Cape Girardeau celebrated the opening of its first dog park, Dog Town Playground, on Nov. 9 at Kiwanis Park. The fenced park covers approximately one acre and has separate areas for small and large dogs. Each area has amenities such as a tunnel, dog water fountain, fire hydrant, picnic tables and disposal containers. The dog park was selected as a special project by the Cape Girardeau City Council and funded in accordance with the city's casino revenue strategy.

ONE ACCORD COUNSELING CUTS RIBBON

One Accord Counseling held a ribbon cutting y at 1200 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. The center offers individual, family and couples counseling for children, teenagers and adults.

ROBINSON CONSTRUCTION RECOGNIZED

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Engineering News-Record recognized Robinson Construction Co. as one of the Top Contractors in the Midwest. Based on 2012 revenue for work completed in the Midwest region (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin), Robinson ranked No. 87 on the ENR Midwest Top Contractors list for 2013. ENR is a weekly magazine that provides news, analysis, data and opinion for the construction industry worldwide.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS FOR FRIENDSHIP HOUSE

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- A new housing complex that will provide safe, affordable housing for people with disabilities broke ground recently in Farmington, the Park Hills Daily Journal reported. The Friendship House apartment complex is a HUD 811 project being built under a partnership between East Missouri Action Agency, which owns the apartments, and BJC Behavioral Health, which will provide services. The goal of the project is to create an integrated health care campus. Fourteen single-occupancy apartments will be built on Walton Drive, which is behind BJC Behavioral Health Clinic. In the future a psychosocial clubhouse will also be built. A groundbreaking ceremony was held with the Farmington Chamber of Commerce.

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB GETS IMPACT AWARD

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- After nearly doubling its average daily attendance in the past two years, the Boys and Girls Club of Poplar Bluff received a Gateway to Impact Award at the Midwest/Southwest Regional Leadership Conference Oct. 2 in St. Louis, the Daily American Republic reported. The organization was recognized in the Midwest, in the Southern region, for having one of the biggest amounts of growth in a single year, according to Boys and Girls Club executive director Chris Rushin. About 455 to 475 students are served by the club on a daily basis, said Rushin.

FOCUS BANK CLOSES HORNERSVILLE BRANCH

HORNERSVILLE, Mo. -- Focus Bank closed the doors of its Hornersville branch Nov. 15, the Daily Dunklin Democrat reported. The closest Focus Bank to Hornersville is now in Paragould, Ark.

THREE RIVERS AWARDS CONTRACT FOR CLASSROOM BUILDING

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A nearly $6.2 million contract was awarded Nov. 13 by the Three Rivers College Board of Trustees for construction of a new classroom building at the Poplar Bluff campus, the Daily American Republic reported. Olympus Construction of Jonesboro, Ark., is scheduled to begin work in December and finish in the spring of 2015, said architect Ben Traxel of the Poplar Bluff firm Dille and Traxel. The bid gave a 420-day completion schedule. The 38,000-square-foot, two-story building will be on the hillside east of the library and Westover buildings. It will house humanities and social sciences programs, according to the college, and allow for future enrollment growth. The project is funded by the sale of bonds, a $2.6 million federal saferoom grant and some donations.

FIVE UNIVERSITIES PARTNER FOR AGRICULTURE COURSES

Southeast Missouri State University is one of five partnering universities in Missouri that will share in the delivery of agricultural coursework in an effort to produce high-quality agribusiness graduates across the state. Southeast has joined forces with Truman State University, Missouri State University, University of Central Missouri and Northwest Missouri State University to allow undergraduate students to take agriculture courses not offered at their home institution. Southeast's Department of Agriculture is participating in the program as a result of a three-year $74,872 sub-award from Missouri State University under a $570,000 project grant awarded by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Dr. Mike Aide, chair of Southeast's Department of Agriculture, says students will benefit through the delivery of online agricultural courses, the development of mini-courses for extension and continuing education, and the assessment of curriculum with input from agribusinesses.

COMPLETE NUTRITION TARGETING CAPE GIRARDEAU

Complete Nutrition, a consultative nutritional supplement retailer, is targeting Cape Girardeau for its next franchise location, according to a news release. Complete Nutrition has eight stores in Missouri, and its consultants work with customers to design diet and exercise plans and recommend products to boost customers' results.

MARCO'S PIZZA TO OPEN IN CAPE GIRARDEAU

Marco's Pizza is being constructed adjacent to Family Video, 1330 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. Family Video will feature an inside walk-up window to Marco's Pizza.

G.T. SALES AND SERVICE OPENS IN SCOTT CITY

G.T. Sales and Service now is open at 622 Second St. East in Scott City. The business specializes in auto body, auto mechanics, painting, detailing and auto sales.

EGGIMANN OPENS KAR DOCTOR AUTOMOTIVE

Kar Doctor Automotive, on County Road 335 in Jackson, was opened by Randy Eggimann, owner of Kosmetic Kar Doctor in Jackson.

PARENGO COFFEE CUTS RIBBON

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Regional Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Parengo Coffee, 109 W. Malone Ave. The business opened in August and offers coffee, tea, lattes, espressos, smoothies, hot cocoa, cold brewed coffees, oatmeal and pastries, according to the Sikeston Standard Democrat. The business owners are Larry and Theda Williams. The coffee is roasted and brewed in-house, and is also available at Cup 'N' Cork in Cape Girardeau.

BBQ MARKET HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Mike Mills, owner of Mills Wildfire BBQ Market, 105 N. Kingshighway, held a ribbon cutting with the Sikeston Regional Chamber of Commerce. The restaurant opened June 1 and offers full-service dining and catering.

HOBBY LOBBY COMING TO POPLAR BLUFF

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Hobby Lobby store will open this spring in Poplar Bluff, according to Vince Parker, a spokesman for Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. The Daily American Republic reported the chain has leased 48,800 square feet in Valley Plaza, according to Jim Bailey, the Poplar Bluff businessman who owns the shopping center and Mansion Mall. The new retailer will occupy the entire former Montgomery Ward building along Maud Street. Bailey said he will move Goodwill Industries, which occupies part of the building, to another location. Bailey has been renovating the building and plans to turn it over to Hobby Lobby on Feb. 1. While the trained manager and co-manager will come with the store, Hobby Lobby plans to hire 30 to 50 local employees, said Parker.

NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET TO OPEN IN POPLAR BLUFF

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Walmart Neighborhood Market is the second business planning to locate within the Eight Points Commercial Development in Poplar Bluff, the Daily American Republic reported. Walmart plans to build the 42,000-square-foot grocery store at the northwest corner of Shelby and Oak Grove roads. In September, Bill Simon, Walmart's president and CEO of U.S. operations, said the world's largest retailer plans to open 500 of the smaller stores within the next 18 months, up from a current 290. When the site preparation work is completed in the spring, Walmart will purchase 4.26 acres from Eight Points and begin construction of the Neighborhood Market.

SOUTHEAST HONORED FOR AFFORDABLE ONLINE PROGRAMS

Southeast Missouri State University's online programs were honored twice in November for their affordability by two separate ranking organizations, according to a news release from the university. OnlineU.org and AffordableCollegesOnline.org both recognized Southeast's online programs for their affordability and quality. Southeast is featured on www.OnlineU.org for offering two of the nation's most affordable college online degree programs. Southeast's online bachelor of science in nursing RN to BSN completion program is ranked second on the site among the nation's top 25 online nursing degree programs. In addition, Southeast's online master's degree and certification programs in education are ranked 20th among the nation's top 25 online education degree programs. AffordableCollegesOnline.org identified Southeast's online degree programs as some of the most affordable in Missouri. Southeast's online degree programs are ranked eighth in Missouri by AC Online. AC Online focused on distance learning options from public and private not-for-profit institutions with full accreditation and compiled a list of all of the fully accredited four-year online colleges in Missouri, ranking them from lowest tuition to highest. Thirty-nine colleges and universities in the state are ranked.

PERRYVILLE CENTER TO OFFER PHARMACY PROGRAM

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- Mineral Area College's Pharmacy Technician Program is branching out to the Higher Education Center in Perryville, Mo., according to a news release from the college. Through MAC's participation in the MoHealthWINs program, students can receive health care career training, personal assistance and job placement services at no tuition cost. Since its launch at the Park Hills campus in October 2012, 18 program graduates have been placed in full-time pharmacy technician positions. Alison Sheets, MAC support specialist for MoHealthWINs, said students must be approved through the State Board of Pharmacy in order to be accepted into the program.

LOVE'S OPENS IN BLOOMSDALE

BLOOMSDALE, Mo. -- The Love's Travel Stop in Bloomsdale opened for business Nov. 21, the Ste. Genevieve Herald reported. A grand opening and ribbon cutting were held Dec. 4. Love's is open 24 hours a day and includes two restaurants: Chester's Chicken and McDonald's. The Bloomsdale location also has 78 parking spaces for professional truck drivers and a Love's Truck Tire Care center on site.

LOCK COMPANY COMING TO SIKESTON

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Lock Co. has announced it will open a production facility in Sikeston, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported. The company purchased a 50,000-square-foot building at 835 W. Wakefield, formerly known as the Media Press building. The Lock Co. will make a deadbolt lock that is a combination lock, said Ed Dust, director of the Sikeston Department of Economic Development. He noted the company holds the patent for the lock. The industry will initially employ 25 people with the possibility of up to 50 employees. Roger Strong is one of the business owners, and he announced that a motorcycle company called Benelli will locate in Sikeston as well. The company's products include motorcycles, ATVs, boat motors and more. Strong and his associates are trying to set up a factory with hopes to begin production in the next four to six months.

HUCK'S GAS STATION EXPANDING

Huck's gas station and convenience store, 353 S. Kingshighway St. in Cape Girardeau, is expanding from eight to 12 gas pumps and remodeling the front of its building, according to manager Ruth Parker. Construction should be finished in December, and the store will remain open 24 hours a day during construction.

ERLBACHER CONSTRUCTING FABRICATION SHOP

Erlbacher Gear and Machine Works is constructing a fabrication shop adjacent to its property at 425 Good Hope St. in Cape Girardeau, said Pee Wee Erlbacher. The shop will house a seven-and-a-half ton overhead crane. Erlbacher said he hopes to have the shop complete by the first of the year.

REGIONAL COUNSELING RELOCATES

Regional Counseling and EAP Services relocated to 5303 Old Cape Road in Jackson. The counseling center offers personal, family and substance abuse professional services counseling and is DOT qualified.

PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS OPENS ON INDEPENDENCE

Katie Blattel Photography and Design, 221 Independence St., Suite B in Cape Girardeau, held a ribbon cutting Nov. 25.

SOUTHEAST OPENS ONLINE SHOP

The Southeast Missouri State University Department of Athletics announced the opening of GoSoutheastGear.com. The online store sells officially licensed Southeast merchandise.

BOLLINGER COUNTY CHAMBER ADDS MEMBERS

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce added the following new members: Sunset Floral Shoppe, 115 Highway 51 North in Marble Hill, owned by Kimberly Keith; Welker Whitetail Taxidermy, inside Variety Shop 1 at Patton Junction in Patton, Mo., owned by Jason Welker; The Deadly Duo, mystery writers Bill and Sharon Hopkins of Marble Hill; Tri-State Carports Inc., 603 Broadway in Marble Hill, with sales representative Chester Hayes; Eddie Cook Enterprises, Route 1, Box 620 in Marble Hill, owned by Eddie Cook; and individual member Dillan Hayes of Marble Hill.

BOLLINGER COUNTY CHAMBER HONORS TWO BUSINESSES

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce chose Variety Shop 1 as Veteran Business of the fourth quarter. Jason and Christy Welker own the business, which has operated in Patton, Mo., since 1990. Additionally, the chamber chose The Mustard Seed Boutique as Rising Star Business of the fourth quarter. Cindi and Mike Morris own the business.

BANK OF MISSOURI BUYS SUPER D BUILDING

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Bank of Missouri purchased the former Super D Drug Store building, the Daily American Republic reported on Nov. 27. The purchase was announced during the Poplar Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Nov. 23. Glen Hinkebein of Penzel Construction Co. in Jackson said the Super D building at 1465 N. Westwood Blvd. will be remodeled into a banking facility, a project expected to take about three months.

DEXTER BAR-B-QUE REPLACING BRANDING IRON

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Dexter Bar-B-Que Inc. will replace the Branding Iron restaurant in Poplar Bluff, the Daily American Republic reported on Nov. 27. The change was announced during the Poplar Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Nov. 23. Dexter Bar-B-Que plans to open Dec. 16, said Kim Flentge of Flentge Construction Co. in Perryville, Mo., which is building a drive-thru window area at the restaurant. Branding Iron restaurants in Farmington and Jackson are also being purchased by Dexter Bar-B-Que.