Business briefs

__ITALIAN RESTAURANT OPENS ON BROADWAY__

A new Italian restaurant, Mario and Angela's Italian Cucina, opened at 1740 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. The building formerly housed Taqueria Jalisco, a Mexican restaurant that closed last year.

__CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES AT CREATIVE INCUBATOR__

Construction work on Southeast Missouri State University's Creative Labs and Industries Incubator was ongoing in early January. Contractors were improving the facade of the building in the 600 block of Broadway in Cape Girardeau for the new project, which university staff have said will help students practice taking ideas and developing them into products and services. The incubator is expected to be ready for use by the fall semester.

__POPLAR BLUFF CHAMBER HOLDS RIBBON CUTTINGS__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Jan. 7 for the new Walmart Neighborhood Market, 3004 Oak Grove Road. A grand opening was also held. The chamber also held ribbon cuttings in January for Silky T&C Beauty Center, 1301 W. Maud St., Suite 2, and Flapjacks II, 58 Highway 142.

__SOUTHEAST SPORTS MANAGEMENT RANKS HIGH__

TopManagementDegrees.com ranked Southeast Missouri State University's online master of business administration, sport management option, as the seventh-best sports management master's degree program nationally. The list displays the 25 best schools offering online master's degrees in sport management. Schools were ranked based on faculty credentials, student services and engagement, admissions selectivity, course delivery technology, student satisfaction and tuition costs, according to a release from Southeast.

__TOWNHOUSE COMPLEX TO BE BUILT ON MAIN STREET__

Cape Girardeau native Kenny Pincksten, owner of Prestige Development, is building a five-unit townhouse complex on Cape Girardeau's North Main Street. The three-story town house row is the first part of a two-phase development Pincksten is building on the west side of the street between Broadway and Isle Casino Cape Girardeau. A second phase will include a street-level, two-story commercial building, Pincksten said. The townhomes, which will feature a view of the Mississippi River and many modern amenities, are designed in a historical style, Pincksten said, as a way to connect the development to downtown. Pincksten has an interest in history and has built old-fashioned-looking homes in Cape Girardeau and restored the nearly 150-year-old Julius Vasterling Building at Broadway and Sprigg Street. Pincksten said he hopes the project, called Riverview Court, will be a catalyst for continued development downtown. Two older duplexes will be torn down to make way for the new townhomes.

__MALL GETS NEW STORE, LOSES TWO OTHERS__

Maurices, a contemporary women's clothing retailer with extended sizes, will open a new store in Cape Girardeau's West Park Mall about the second week in April, said Nikki Fremling, a district manager for Maurices stores. Maurices has been in West Park Mall before, but it closed in 2004. Fremling said the store will be about 5,000 square feet and feature new décor. It is planned to use the space once occupied by The Buckle, in the mall's east wing, which contains Macy's. The Buckle moved down the wing by one store earlier this year. Maurices is part of a national chain with more than 900 stores in the United States and Canada, including stores in Perryville and Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The parent company of Maurices, Ascena Retail Group Inc., also owns Dress Barn, Justice, Lane Byrant and Catherines stores. Next to where Maurices will open, two other teen-centric clothing stores are going away -- Wet Seal has closed, while Aeropostale was to close before Feb. 1, a manager said. Wet Seal is closing two-thirds of its 350 stores in the national chain because of low sales, according to recent news reports. Wet Seal opened in the mall in 2003. Aeropostale also is closing because of low sales.

__NEW BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR RENT ONE__

A new building for Rent One, a rent-to-own furniture, appliance and electronics store, is being constructed at 402 S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, according to a commercial building permit issued by the city. A Rent One store is at 610 S. Kingshighway.

__EDWARD JONES OFFICE CUTS RIBBON__

Edward Jones financial adviser Roy Merideth held an office ribbon cutting Jan. 14 at 2260 E. Jackson Blvd. in Jackson.

__GREAT SOUTHERN BANK BUYS MARQUETTE BUILDINGS__

The Springfield, Missouri, bank foreclosing on the Marquette properties in downtown Cape Girardeau now owns the two buildings after it was the sole bidder in a public auction held Jan. 16. Great Southern Bank attempted to unload the Marquette Tower and Centre properties in the auction. In most foreclosure sales, the note holder on a loan submits a bid, often matching the outstanding amount, which was the case with the Marquette properties. Now that the bank owns the buildings, sale efforts likely will continue, said Nancy Browne, an attorney for Great Southern. The bank hired Browne, an attorney at The Limbaugh Firm, to oversee foreclosure proceedings on the properties after G&S Holdings LLC, a real estate holding company, stopped making payments on the loan. G&S bought the buildings from the bank for between $3 million and $4 million in a foreclosure sale in 2009.

__RIVER CITY BIOLOGICALS ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION__

River City Biologicals, a local manufacturer of raw animal products, recently announced an international expansion. The company's partners, George "Skip" Wrape and Jerad Busch, recently purchased a share of the Brazilian company FBS Do Brasil Biotecnologia LTDA. The new company, according to a news release, collects and processes animal serums used in biotechnology similar to the Cape Girardeau company. The Brazilian company will take on the name of the Cape Girardeau company.

__BLUFF CITY BEER ADDS NEW CRAFT BREWS__

Bluff City Beer Co., a beverage distributor in Cape Girardeau, formed a new partnership with Cathedral Square Brewing of St. Louis and Leaky Roof Meadery of Buffalo, Missouri. The company will began distributing the companies' beverages this month, according to a news release. Cathedral Square Brewing, a St. Louis company, offers a variety of ales, including six year-round styles. Leaky Roof Meadery is based in southwest Missouri and makes meads, an "old-world style" of beverage. The addition of the product lines brings the total number of craft brands distributed by Bluff City Beer to 11. The company also distributes domestic and imported beers and covers a 20-county area with three warehouses.

__KASTEN MASONRY TO OPEN CAPE SHOWROOM__

A Jackson-based dealer of brick, stone, fireplaces, grills, pools and spas will open a new showroom in Cape Girardeau this spring. Quent Kasten of Kasten Masonry Sales said a new retail showroom at 345 S. Kingshighway, in the northern half of the building occupied by Stereo One, will open in late March or early April. The new location is planned to help showcase the company's pools and spas, various fireplaces and outdoor kitchen equipment. Stone and brick samples also will be included in the new showroom. Kasten said the company is looking forward to having a showroom as way to display products to the Cape Girardeau community. Stereo One will continue to occupy the southern section of the retail building.

__JACKSON CHAMBER PRESENTS AWARDS__

The Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce presented awards at its annual banquet on Jan. 16. Awards went to Terri Tomlin, Jackson School Board president, R.A. Fulenwider Meritorious Community Service Award; Wings, Etc., Business of the Year; Custom Cut Fabrication, Industry of the Year; Kelly Darby of Modern Woodmen of America, Ambassador of the Year; and Siemer's Best Brands Plus Appliance, Small Business of the Year. The chamber held the awards banquet in conjunction with the Jackson Industrial Development Co., a local economic and industrial development organization.

__PORTAGEVILLE PARTS OPENS IN NEW LOCATION__

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- The Portageville Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Portageville Parts Inc.'s new building at 302 Highway 61 North in Portageville.

__TECHNOLOGY STORE OPENS IN KENNETT__

KENNETT, Mo. -- The Kennett Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Jan. 20 for FreshTech, 709 First St. The business, owned by Jeff Parks, carries computers, mobile devices and musical instruments and also offers repairs and other services.

__BG'S EXPANDS TO JACKSON__

BG's Olde Tyme Deli has a second location at 252 E. Jackson Blvd. in Jackson. The new restaurant has a menu similar to that of the Cape Girardeau location. It also has patio seating and serves beer and wine. Jerry Lynn bought the Cape Girardeau location at 205 S. Plaza Way in 2013 and owns the new Jackson restaurant.

__H&R BLOCK MARKS 20 YEARS__

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce held ribbon cutting Jan. 17 for H&R Block, 203 First St. in Marble Hill. The business is celebrating 20 years of service to the area.

__DEXTER CHAMBER PRESENTS AWARDS__

DEXTER, Mo. -- The Dexter Chamber of Commerce presented awards at its annual banquet on Jan. 24. Awards went to the Stoddard County ARC, Organization of the Year; Corner Cottage, owned by Gary and Kim Williams, Small Business of the Year; SoutheastHEALTH Center of Stoddard County, Business of the Year; Bootheel Recycling, Industry of the Year; and Anita Joyner, math teacher at T.S. Hill Middle School, Educator of the Year.

__PERRYVILLE CHAMBER HOLDS ANNUAL BANQUET__

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner Jan. 22. Those honored were First State Community Bank, Business of the Year; and members of the Perry County Military History Museum Committee, Citizen of the Year.

__FAMILY TREATMENT COURT EARNS NATIONAL DISTINCTION__

KENNETT, Mo. -- The Dunklin County Family Treatment Court was selected as one of five new Family Drug Court Peer Learning Courts of Excellence in the nation, bringing the total number of recognized courts to nine, nationally. The selection entitles the Dunklin County Family Treatment Court to serve as a learning incubator, hosting visiting family treatment court teams from around the country, participating in peer-to-peer learning activities, webinars and presentations and assisting developing programs. The purpose of the Dunklin County Family Treatment Court is to reunify families that have entered the Juvenile Court System and have had children removed from their custody because of substance abuse.

__SOO VAPE OPENS SCOTT CITY LOCATION__

Soo Vape, a business selling e-cigarettes, e-liquid, batteries and other accessories, opened at 601 Second St. E in Scott City. Owner Jesse Stuart also has two locations in Cape Girardeau and one in Jackson.

__WILLIAM STREET BUILDING WILL HOLD CLASSIC CARS__

Kenny Pincksten, owner of residential and commercial development company Prestige Development, is buying the building on the southwest corner of William and Sprigg streets in Cape Girardeau and will return it to an automotive-related use. The location, 701 William St., was originally a gas station and Buick dealership, and more recently a secondhand furniture and antique store. Pincksten said he intends to renovate the building and use it for displaying classic cars.

__CAPE CHAMBER PRESENTS HONORS__

Jay Knudtson, executive vice president of First Missouri State Bank and former Cape Girardeau mayor from 2002 to 2010, received the Rush H. Limbaugh Award at the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet on Jan. 30. The award is presented annually by the chamber to an individual who has distinguished him or herself through community service for a significant period of time. The chamber's Ambassador of the Year Award, presented to a member of the chamber for volunteer participation at chamber events, bringing in new members and helping retain current members, went to Paula Myers of Alliance Bank. The Small Business of the Year Award was presented to Annie Laurie's Antiques, owned by Laurie and Rocky Everett.

__RUST COMMUNICATIONS TEAMS UP WITH UNIVERSITY, KFVS FOR STUDENT MEDIA LAB__

Rust Communications recently purchased the former Security Bank & Trust building at 325 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. The building now will be home to the Excellence in Mass Media facility that will house the Southeast Missouri State University newspaper, The Arrow, and its television and video production program. Rust Communications, which owns the Southeast Missourian, has teamed with Southeast Missouri State University and KFVS12 to create a hands-on laboratory for students in the university's media programs. The university is leasing the 12,000-square-foot space from Rust Communications.

__FORD AND SONS BUYS CRACRAFT-MILLER IN JACKSON__

Ford and Sons Funeral Home announced Jan. 30 it has purchased Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home in Jackson, effective at the end of January. Kevin Ford, president of Ford and Sons, said in a news release that Mike Cracraft, who has run Cracraft-Miller for more than 20 years, will stay on to help with the transition. Josh Ford, vice president of Ford and Sons, will oversee the relaunch of Cracraft-Miller under the Ford and Sons name. Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home opened in 1924, according to its website.

__BURGER RESTAURANT OPENING SOON IN CAPE__

Improvements that continue at the former Stevie's Steakburger restaurant at 600 Broadway in Cape Girardeau are in preparation for a new burger restaurant. The location now is owned by Dr. Sonjay Fonn, who runs Old Towne Cape Dining LLC. The restaurant is planned to be open 24 hours a day starting in March and will offer burger and fast-food menu items, according to a release from the company. Stevie's Steakburger opened in 2008 but closed in the past several years; the property had been for sale for some time. The new ownership company also owns The Bar at 117 Themis St. and is working to open Old Towne Cape Brewing Co. in the former location of Buckner Brewing Co.

__FONN ENTERPRISES BUYING DAYCARE__

A special use permit transfer request submitted to the city of Cape Girardeau shows Fonn Enterprises, owned by Dr. Sonjay Fonn, is purchasing KidZone Learning Center, a child-care center at 3037 Lexington Ave. in Cape Girardeau, from Susan Bippen. No changes in operation or the facility are planned for the center, according to city documents. Bippen has owned the center since 2007.

__FITNESS CENTER OPENS IN JACKSON__

Simply Fitness, a fitness center with 24-hour access for members, opened Feb. 2. The center is at 2432 E. Main St. in Jackson and is owned by Donnie Harris, according to an employee of the center.

__ONLINE GRADUATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM RANKED AMONG BEST__

Southeast Missouri State University's online graduate program in criminal justice was ranked in the inaugural edition of the Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs released in January by U.S. News & World Report. Southeast's program is ranked 15th nationally and is the only Missouri public institution ranked among the top 35 programs. Southeast's online graduate criminal justice program is a cooperative program with Missouri Southern State University. U.S. News developed its rankings by assessing criminal justice and criminology master's degree programs together. U.S. News evaluated schools on student engagement, faculty credentials and training, academic and career support services offered to students, technology, admissions selectivity and peer reputation.

__BELLADONA SALON & SPA GETS RECOGNITION__

Belladona Salon & Spa of Cape Girardeau was named to the Salon Today 200 by Salon Today magazine. Salons are selected annually by the publication for best practices. The magazine recognized Belladona for retail and merchandising, according to a news release. The salon, which has two locations in Cape Girardeau, is owned by Linda Springs and Becky Davidson.