__LOVE’S TRAVEL, DUNKIN’ DONUTS OPENS IN SIKESTON__
SIKESTON, Mo. — Love’s Travel Stop opened alongside Dunkin’ Donuts and Chester’s restaurant on March 17 in Sikeston, the Standard Democrat reported. The center is at the Highway 60/Highway 61 interchange. The 24-hour, 10,000-square-foot facility adds approximately 30 jobs to New Madrid County.
__M KAY SUPPLY BECOMES U-HAUL DEALER__
BENTON, Mo. — M Kay Supply has signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer. M Kay, at 6626 State Highway 77 in Benton, now offers U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment and support rental items.
__NEW MADRID CHAMBER PRESENTS AWARDS__
NEW MADRID, Mo. — The New Madrid Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual awards banquet March 24. Awards went to Eric Mattison, Community Service Award; New Madrid Mayor Donnie Brown, Man of the Year; Ken Freeman, Tourism Award; and New Madrid Pharmacy, Business of the Year.
__ELITE TRAVEL GETS DIAMOND AGENCY AWARD__
Elite Travel Inc. of Cape Girardeau again was named an MLT Diamond Agency. The agency received the award for excellence in support of MLT vacations, one of the largest providers of quality vacations in the United States, according to a news release from Elite. MLT manages multiple vacation brand packages including Delta, AeroMexico, Alitalia and Worry-Free Vacations, including a partnership with AirFrance.
__LAND ESCAPES OPENS IN JACKSON__
The Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting April 1 for Land Escapes Nursery & Landscaping LLC, 998 N. High St. in Jackson.
__MERCI CLOSES, FILLED HAUS RELOCATING__
Merci Boutique, 637 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, is closing. When Cathy Pincksten’s home-decor boutique closes, The Filled Haus at 635 Broadway will move into the space. Owner Kristy Robison expects to have her interior architecture and design store in its new location in May or June. When that happens, Shoppe La La, the paint supplier and DIY studio on Broadway, will move into the location left vacant by The Filled Haus.
__BUSINESS JOURNAL CITES DRURY__
St. Louis Business Journal announced its list of the Top 150 Privately Held Companies. At No. 37 was Drury Hotels Co. LLC, which originated in Southern Missouri and now spans 21 states.
__HUBBARD’S JEWELRY CHANGES HANDS__
DEXTER, Mo. — Sisters Jamie Cook and Sheila LeGrand have taken over operation of Hubbard’s Jewelry LLC, 108 W. Stoddard St. in downtown Dexter. Bryan and Marie Hubbard opened the store 66 years ago, and their daughters have been running the store since Marie died in 2015. In addition to selling jewelry, the store offers jewelry and watch repair. Cook says she and her sister are working to update the store’s merchandise and sales area.
__THREE RIVERS PARAMEDIC PROGRAM ACCREDITED__
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — The paramedic program at Three Rivers College was awarded accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, the largest national accrediting body for emergency medical services programs, according to a news release from the college. The award completes a five-year accreditation process for the college. Satisfying accreditation standards required the college to provide hundreds of pages of documentation, program and student records, and create a curriculum that adhered to national standards, among other goals.
__GOURMET FOOD, SWEETS STORES COMING TO WEST PARK MALL__
Two new businesses will open this month at West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau. The Spice of Life, a gourmet food store, will feature a variety of international foods. While management hasn’t determined all the goods the store will carry, Brittany Meadows, marketing director at Taste of Cape, said shoppers can expect to find a number of sauces, pastas, dried and cured meats, and unique teas and sodas. The store is expected to open around Memorial Day and will be between Francesca’s and Gymboree in the Macy’s wing of the mall. In the JCPenney wing, Love N’ Confection will offer sweets and confections, including macarons and fudge. The kiosk was expected to open May 1 near American Eagle and Justice. The Spice of Life and Love N’ Confection are the latest ventures of Dr. Sonjay Fonn, who owns several businesses in the region, including bars and restaurants in downtown Cape Girardeau.
__CHATEAU GIRARDEAU EXPANDING__
The Chateau Girardeau retirement community is undergoing an expansion that will add seven or eight new estate homes to the property. The new single-dwelling estate homes primarily will be two-bedroom, two and a half-bath homes with an average of 1,898 square feet of space, said Kim Wilson, director of marketing at Chateau Girardeau. The size and layout of the new homes is in line with the 37 pre-existing estate homes, which average between 1,500 and 2,000 square feet.
__KOHLFELD DISTRIBUTING TO DOUBLE STORAGE SPACE WITH EXPANSION__
Kohlfeld Distributing Inc. in Jackson is nearing completion on its new 30,000-square-foot warehouse. The beverage-distribution company has picked up 20 new suppliers and doubled its business since 2006 but had not increased its warehouse space. Construction completion is expected in June. The new warehouse will double the distributor’s storage space and provide considerably more vertical storage. The new warehouse also will feature LED lighting and a temperature-control system. The existing warehouse will be used for storing nonalcoholic beverages, and a portion of it will be reconfigured for a larger draft-beer storage room.
__CASA TO CHANGE NAME__
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southeast Missouri Inc. is getting ready to change its name and double its services. Linda Nash, who leads the Cape Girardeau office, said the rebranding initiative is local, although some CASA offices around the country have opted for a more specific name as well. The group’s new name will be Voices for Children CASA to help with name recognition, and after a transition period, simply Voices for Children. Largely a volunteer-based organization that trains people to become advocates for minors in protective custody, CASA’s goal is to make sure abused or neglected children have more thorough oversight. Nash said right now, 350 children are in foster care or some form of protective custody in the judicial district including Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger counties. Of those, only about 65 have CASA advocates. The office is getting ready to double its services by hiring a second volunteer coordinator.
__MEN’STYLE OPENS IN DEXTER__
DEXTER, Mo. — The Dexter Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting March 3 for MeN’Style in downtown Dexter. The shop, owned by Pam Garner, sells men’s clothing, accessories, cologne, hats, belts and decorative signs.
__MEXICAN RESTAURANT OPENS IN CAPE__
Jon Seyer in mid-March opened Monte Blanco, a new Mexican restaurant at 229 S. Broadview St. in Cape Girardeau. It is his first run at owning and managing a restaurant. His sister, Cesia Watkins, and brother, Josiah Seyer, work alongside him in the restaurant.
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__NIX AUTO REPAIR OPENS IN SIKESTON__
SIKESTON, Mo. — Nix Auto Repair opened at 135 N. Frisco St. in Sikeston, the Standard Democrat reported. Benji and Jeremy Nix own the full-service auto repair shop.
__CAPE’S GOODWILL STORE COMPLETES EXPANSION__
Construction on the Goodwill retail store in Cape Girardeau was completed at the end of April, said Mark Kahrs, executive vice president of retail at MERS/Goodwill. When the facility at 250 S. Silver Springs Road opened in 1999, the space totaled 9,500 square feet. With the renovation, the facility has increased to 14,500 square feet. The remodeled sales floor totals 9,500 square feet, compared to the original 5,100. The expansion also included a new back room, truck docks and a donation drive-thru.
__REED’S METALS OPENS IN SCOTT CITY__
A new metal manufacturing and sales facility is opening in Scott City. Reed’s Metals, headquartered in Brookhaven, Mississippi, produces metal roofing and pre-engineered steel buildings. The company has eight locations across the southern U.S. The forthcoming Scott City facility, which will be its ninth, is scheduled to open June 1. The manufacturer is moving into the building formerly occupied by Macke Farm Equipment. According to Tom Kelsey, commercial broker at Lorimont Place Ltd., the 14,000-square-foot building sits on five acres off Interstate 55. Bernie Reed, president and CEO of Reed’s Metals, said he expects to hire four or five employees in the Scott City facility at first, but the need for workers will increase after the company settles in, as has been the case with his other facilities. “In two to four years, it will be up to 30 or 35 people,” Reed said.
__STE. GENEVIEVE CHAMBER PRESENTS AWARDS__
STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. — The Ste. Genevieve Chamber of Commerce presented awards at its annual gala in April, the Ste. Genevieve Herald reported. Awards went to Mickey Koetting, Community Service Award; Sara’s Ice Cream Shop and Barley Automotive, Small Businesses of the Year; Vern Bauman, Lifetime Achievement Award; and Holcim Inc., Presidential Award.
__HOBBY LOBBY OPENS IN FARMINGTON__
FARMINGTON, Mo. — Hobby Lobby held a grand opening and ribbon cutting April 11 for its new store in Farmington, the Park Hills Daily Journal reported. Ralph Steif is manager of the new store, which is Hobby Lobby’s 22nd location in Missouri. The 51,000-square-foot retail facility is at U.S. 67 and Maple Street.
__KENNETT CHAMBER PRESENTS AWARDS__
KENNETT, Mo. — The Kennett Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet on April 11, the Daily Dunklin Democrat reported. The Lions Club presented the Citzen of the Year Award to Russ and Rosemary Burcham. Retiring board members are Kathy Ballard, Jessica Branum, Teresa McCullough, Matt Cohn and Libby Mobley. Incoming board members are Lee Atwill, Marsha Blanchard, Marty Johnson, Dustin Pritchett and Meghan Scherer. The first leadership class members also were announced: Sarah Ezell, Jeff Long, Julie Lynn, Jill Rickman, Audra Smith and Michelle Ward.
__SIKESTON CHAMBER HOLDS ANNUAL BANQUET__
SIKESTON, Mo. — The Sikeston Regional Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet on April 14, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported. Awards went to Charlotte and Randy York, Lifetime Achievement; Maude Harris, Citizen of the Year; Libby Caskey, Civic Individual of the Year; Focus Bank, Business of the Year; Animal Health Center, Small Business of the Year; Brian Henson, Educator of the Year; Ryan Lindsey, Young Professional of the Year; Rick Lovall, Chamber Member of the Year; Jim Cooksey, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year; and Bart Ziegenhorn, Jaycee Distinguished Service Award.
__RIVER RIDGE WINERY CHANGES HANDS__
COMMERCE, Mo. — Frequent guests of River Ridge Winery will see new faces behind the tasting table and in the restaurant next time they come for a visit. After decades of successful ownership, founders Jerry and Joannie Smith have sold the winery and begun the task of showing longtime customers and first-time vintners Rob and Denise Bullock the ins and outs of winemaking. Ownership of the winery was transferred May 1. The Bullocks now own the winery and restaurant on 10 acres, plus the winery’s resident dog, Michelle, and cat, Gus. The Smiths will continue to work at River Ridge for at least a year, as part of the contract, teaching the Bullocks the winemaking processes and visiting with guests. Joannie Smith will continue to run the Yule Log Cabin.
__BOB EVANS RESTAURANT CLOSES IN CAPE__
After more than 15 years in Cape Girardeau, Bob Evans has closed. Over the weekend of April 23, boards were hung over the windows, and a sign was placed on the door thanking patrons for their loyalty. The Vantage Drive location is one of 21 Bob Evans restaurants that closed April 23 or 24. Six more are slated to follow during the 2017 fiscal year. According to a news release from the company, affected employees have been offered positions in nearby restaurants. When relocation is not possible, the release said, severance benefits will be offered. Saed Mohseni, president and CEO of Bob Evans Farms, said in a news release that performance at each of the locations that closed was not meeting expectations. The company expects the closures to improve annual operating income by approximately $1 million.
__CROWN VALLEY OPENS BRANSON LOCATION__
BRANSON, Mo. — Crown Valley of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, announced it has opened a new location in Branson, according to a news release. Crown Valley Distillery & Bistro opened April 26 on “the strip” and features the first legal distillery in Branson. Crown Valley’s corn whiskey, cherry maple whiskey and cinnamon whiskey are distilled on-site. The location also features tastings of Crown Valley Winery, Brewery and Distillery products crafted in Ste. Genevieve.
__THREE RIVERS PULLS OUT OF WILLOW SPRINGS__
WILLOW SPRINGS, Mo. — Three Rivers College will discontinue courses at the South Central Education Consortium due to low enrollment, the Daily American Republic reported. The college entered a memorandum of understanding with Missouri State University at West Plains in October 2013 to provide certificate and degree programs, forming the South Central Education Consortium at Willow Springs. Citing higher startup fees for vocational offerings, and enrollment not meeting expectations nearly three years following the onset, Three Rivers says it will not renew the memorandum when it expires June 30. The college said currently enrolled students will be able to finish their studies at the consortium. About 30 students attend the campus in the old Missouri Department of Transportation building on Springfield Road in Willow Springs.
__DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SOFTWARE MADE LOCALLY__
Digital production company Element 74 of Cape Girardeau has developed a web-based software platform that allows state domestic-violence coalitions to more efficiently manage their organizations and measure outcomes. The “Coalition Manager” program collects mission-critical data and allows coalitions to use the information to manage members, conduct trainings and generate reports for grant applications. The program was developed in 2012 for The Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, but Element 74 since has contracted and deployed the software to eight additional states.
__DREYER’S CENTER OPENS IN SCOTT CITY__
Regional distribution of Dreyer’s products will be carried out in Nestle’s new facility on 3180 Nash Road in Scott City. The facility will be responsible for the regional distribution and logistics for the company’s entire line of ice cream, pizza and snack-food products, according to commercial broker Tom Kelsey, who handled the real estate transaction.
__SOME SEARS, KMART STORES WILL CLOSE__
Sears Holdings announced it will close 68 Kmart stores and 10 Sears stores this summer. According to a news release from Sears Holdings, all of the Sears stores and most of the Kmart stores will close in late July; two Kmart stores will close in mid-September. The company has released the specific locations targeted for closure; the Kmart and Sears stores in Cape Girardeau are not included on the list.
__P.B. CLASSROOM ADDITION, FEMA SAFE ROOM OPENS__
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — A ribbon cutting was held April 17 for the Poplar Bluff Junior High FEMA Safe Room and classroom addition. This is the first of multiple construction/renovation projects for the Poplar Bluff School District following the approval of a districtwide tax levy increase and $1 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to a news release. Dille Traxel Architecture of Cape Girardeau and Poplar Bluff completed the architectural design work for the nine-classroom addition to the existing junior high facility, along with restroom and handicap accessibility improvements. The FEMA safe room also will be used as an additional gymnasium. The construction added more than 20,000 square feet to the existing facility. Construction also is continuing at Poplar Bluff High School with its transformation into Poplar Bluff Middle School, and the current 5th and 6th Grade Center is being reworked into a new Poplar Bluff High School. Dille Traxel completed plans for renovation at four Poplar Bluff elementary schools and is set to begin construction this summer. All projects are to be completed before school begins in the fall.
__NEW HOTEL COMING TO PERRYVILLE__
PERRYVILLE, Mo. — Midwest Lodging LLC plans to build a 70- to 75-room Holiday Inn and Suites in Perryville, directly behind the Rhodes 101 gas station near Interstate 55, the Perryville Republic Monitor reported. Exact project dates are not known at this time.
__FORMER PARK HILLS THEATER GETS NEW TENANT__
PARK HILLS, Mo. — The former Flat River Movie Theater building on Main Street in downtown Park Hills is getting a new tenant after sitting vacant for several years, the Park Hills Daily Journal reported. The River Worship Centre, currently on Dix Avenue in Park Hills, will move downtown within a few weeks. DJ Edwards is pastor of the church, which was founded in May 2004. The sale of the building was finalized on April 18.
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