__NEW OFFICE SPACE BEING BUILT ON BROADWAY__
New office space is under construction across from Southeast Hospital at 610, 612, 618 and 620 Whitelaw St. in Cape Girardeau. Owned by R. Hetzel Properties LLC, the two buildings holding four office spaces are expected to be available for rent by the end of September.
__PERRYVILLE HOMES OPENS ON THE SQUARE__
PERRYVILLE, Mo. — The Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Perryville Homes Real Estate, 6 Ste. Maries St. in downtown Perryville. Sheri Buchheit owns the business.
__STRATON OPENS NEW EDWARD JONES OFFICE__
SIKESTON, Mo. — Jared Straton held a ribbon cutting in July for his new Edward Jones office at 605 S. Main St. in Sikeston.
__ULTIMATE FLOORING OPENS DEXTER LOCATION__
DEXTER, Mo. — The Dexter Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting in July for Ultimate Flooring and Paint, 1520 W. Business 60 in the Liberty Center. The business, owned by Darrin Johnson, has a full line of flooring and paint products, including Mohawk flooring and Benjamin Moore paint. It is the third location for Ultimate Flooring and Paint, which also has stores in Cape Girardeau and Sikeston, Missouri.
__SIKESTON UNITED WAY MOVES INTO NEW OFFICE__
SIKESTON, Mo. — First State Community Bank in Sikeston now is home to the Sikeston/Bootheel Area United Way office, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported. The branch is at 201 N. Main St.
__JUICE CAFE OPENS INSIDE OZARK FITNESS__
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for the second location of Juice Cafe inside Ozark Fitness at 2705 N. Westwood Blvd. in Poplar Bluff.
__ATELIER OPENS ON MAIN STREET__
For decades, the Hutson family has sold furniture in their store on Main Street in downtown Cape Girardeau. Now, from one family business springs another. Atelier, a boutique gift shop that is the brainchild of Jerra Hutson, opened just down the road at 31C Main St. As a buyer for Hutson’s Fine Furniture and Mattress, Hutson for years would come across unique items that wouldn’t necessarily have at a home furniture store. Atelier creates the proper showroom for these items. From original pieces of jewelry to games to barware, Hutson hand-selects items for her store and keeps the stock minimal to help ensure their uniqueness.
__TROPICAL FISH STORE OPENS IN CAPE__
Go Fish Tropical, 5 S. Henderson St. in Cape Girardeau, is a retail fish store owned by Rodney Stovall Jr. The anticipated opening date was Sept. 1.
__REAL-ESTATE BUSINESS OPENS ON BROADWAY__
Area Properties Real Estate, 1304 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, is a real-estate sales business owned by Lori A. Fowler. It opened July 25.
__MACY’S TO CLOSE MORE STORES; CAPE STORE’S FATE UNKNOWN__
Adding to the growing list of downsizing retail stores, Macy’s Inc. has announced its intention to close 100 of its full-line stores in 2017. The closures are a part of an effort to increase profitability and improve shareholder value, according to a news release from the company. “Nearly all of the stores to be closed are cash flow positive today, but their volume and profitability in most cases have been declining steadily in recent years,” Macy’s Inc. president Jeff Gennette said in the release. “We recognize that these locations do not yield an adequate return on investment and often do not represent a customer shopping experience that reflects our aspirations for the Macy’s brand.” Most of the stores will close early in 2017, with the balance closing as leases and operating covenants expire. The stores that will remain open will go through their own set of changes, the company said, including new vendor shops, new businesses on the sales floors through additional license agreements, an increase in the size and quality of staffing and new in-store events and experiences. It is unclear if the Macy’s in Cape Girardeau is among those targeted for closure. The company will communicate its store closing decisions directly with the associates before making a public announcement.
__MIDAMERICA BREAKS GROUND ON NEW HOLIDAY INN__
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Midamerica Hotels Corp., based in Cape Girardeau, broke ground on Aug. 12 for a new 99-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites — St. Louis South I-55 to be constructed at the intersection of Interstate 55 and Butler Hill Road (exit No. 195). Midamerica plans to open the new hotel in late summer 2017, according to a news release from the company. Midamerica also operates a 92-room sister hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites — St. Louis South. In Cape Girardeau, Midamerica owns and operates the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Hampton Inn and Auburn Place Hotel & Suites.
__RENT-A-CAR OFFICE OPENS AT SEMO__
A new branch of Enterprise Rent-A-Car opened Aug. 15 on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. Unlike the company’s Kingshighway location, the new office is exclusive to Southeast Missouri State University faculty, staff and students. The rental-car company is under contract with the state of Missouri, and the university rents exclusively from it. But rather than requiring customers to travel off campus to pick up a vehicle, all business will take place in a new office in the Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Enterprise vehicles will be stored in the parking area on the north side of the building. Parking for those renting the cars also will be available there. Kathy Mangels, vice president for finance and communication at Southeast Missouri State University, said Enterprise is renting its space from the university and staffing its office with university students.
__LOGAN’S ROADHOUSE IN CAPE NOT CLOSING; RUBY TUESDAY FATE UNKNOWN__
Two national restaurant chains with locations in Southeast Missouri, Logan’s Roadhouse and Ruby Tuesday, announced in mid-August they would close dozens of locations throughout the country. At the time, the parent companies did not provide a list of locations targeted for closing, and still no official list has been made public. But the managers of the Cape Girardeau restaurants have expressed confidence their stores will remain open. Upon filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Logan’s Roadhouse Inc. announced plans to close 18 underperforming restaurants as part of overall efforts to improve the financial performance of the chain. Keith Benton, manager of the Logan’s Roadhouse in Cape Girardeau, said his restaurant is not among them. “We’re staying open,” Benton said. Ruby Tuesday Inc. announced it will close 95 locations, or 13 percent of the total, in September because of declining revenue. Todd King, manager of the Ruby Tuesday in Miner, Missouri, said he received confirmation his store will not be among the closings. The Cape Girardeau store has not yet received conformation.
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
__POKEMON STORE TO OPEN IN DOWNTOWN CAPE__
River Town Labs, a store dedicated to Pokemon, will open soon at 20 N. Main St. in downtown Cape Girardeau. The store is the brainchild of Zach Abernathy, who recently closed his vape shop, Project V, to open the new venture in the same location. He is joined by Aaron Hamlin, the store’s co-creator, and Tim Harris, who handles public relations. While other stores in the region carry Pokemon merchandise, River Town Labs will be unique to Cape Girardeau in that it’s dedicated solely to Pokemon and will carry goods directly from Pokemon wholesalers. The men said the store is one-of-a-kind in Missouri and possibly beyond.
__TRANSMONTAIGNE OPENS ON GIBONEY__
Transmontaigne Operating Co. L.P., 1400 S. Giboney Ave. in Cape Girardeau, is a bulk-fuel storage business owned by Transmontaigne Partners L.P. The anticipated opening date was Aug. 1.
__CASA MEXICANA HAS NEW OWNER__
Casa Mexicana, 1832 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, has changed owners. The Mexican restaurant now is owned by Seis Amigos LLC.
__CONSIGNMENT LOT OPENS ON KINGSHIGHWAY__
The Consignment Lot, 329 S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, owned by Al Bisher, is a location where consignors may gather and sell goods from their vehicles. The business is now open.
__SUMMIT PORTABLE BUILDINGS OPENS IN CAPE__
Summit Portable Buildings LLC, 621 S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, is a storage shed and warehouse business owned by Nelson Stutzman. The business opened June 1.
__CIAO RESTAURANT CHANGES OWNERSHIP__
Ciao Cape Inc., an Italian restaurant at 1650 N. Kingshighway, Suite 102 in Cape Girardeau, is changing ownership. David Burdin will own and manage the restaurant once run by UT Hospitality Group LLC, doing business as Ciao, Su Hill. The anticipated date was Sept. 1.
__STA CAFE OPENS ON SPRIGG STREET__
STA, a new coffeehouse at 820 N. Sprigg St. in Cape Girardeau, combines religious values with victuals. The cafe is open Monday through Saturday, and on Sundays, members of St. Andrew Lutheran Church join together there for prayer service. The space is leased by St. Andrew, but the business is owned and operated by chef and St. Andrew congregant Julie Malone. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Malone’s goal is to offer fresh, healthy, familiar foods that can be enjoyed by everyone. The coffee served there comes from the St. Louis not-for-profit Three Avocados, which uses proceeds to provide potable water to Uganda. STA also tithes 10 percent of its earnings to St. Andrew.
__CRYOSCULPTING BUSINESS OPENS IN CAPE__
Cryosculpting LLC, 1131 N. Kingshighway, Suite G in Cape Girardeau, is a new medical coolsculpting business managed by Jane Perry.
__NAIL AND HAIR SALON OPENS IN CAPE__
Brushed and Polished Nail and Hair Design, 1405 Thomas Drive in Cape Girardeau, is a nail and hair salon owned by Angela Glueck and Cynthia Groves. The anticipated opening date was Sept. 1.
__BRICK OVEN PIZZA REOPENS__
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Brick Oven Pizza Co. in Poplar Bluff reopened in August under new ownership and new management after being repurchased by the corporate company, the Daily American Republic reported. Melissa Morgan is general manager of the restaurant at 125 N. 11th St.
__FIRST MIDWEST BANK BEGINS RENOVATION PROJECT__
DEXTER, Mo. — First Midwest Bank of Dexter announced plans to renovate the downtown Dexter banking facility, the Dexter Statesman reported. The downtown bank has served customers since 1964, first as the main banking facility and later a branch. The facility will see improvements to the teller and lobby area, including additional office space. The new layout will encourage more engaging and secure transactions between customers and tellers, said Jerry Dorton, executive vice president of the bank. The interior will include a mix of traditional and modern design elements, including embellishments with large-scale graphics highlighting the bank’s connection to the Dexter community. Construction began Aug. 9, with anticipated completion at the end of November. Customers may conduct business as usual during construction. Brown Construction Co. is leading renovation efforts and fixtures will be fabricated by DEI Corp.
__GIFT SHOP OPENS ON MAIN STREET__
Sherry Annette, 109 Broadway, is an art and gift shop owned by Sherry Annette Montgomery. The anticipated opening date was Sept. 8.
__SEMO CAFETERIA EXPANDS DINING OPTIONS__
The cafeteria in the Towers Complex on Southeast Missouri State University has gone through some changes over the years with its layout and seating, but the kitchen area remained largely unchanged until recently. Towers Cafe underwent a $3.4 million renovation by expanding the dining options and overhauling the layout. Virtually all of the kitchen equipment is new. Seating is more varied. Food preparation has been brought to the front of the house, making it visible to diners. Towers Cafe now has food stations throughout the 22,500-square-foot dining area, with each featuring a different dining experience. Baker’s Crust offers freshly baked goods. The Kitchen serves main menu options that rotate on a five-week cycle. Brick-oven pizzas are baked throughout the day, just past the salad bar and deli, where sandwiches are made to order. Across from the bakery and deli breads is The Oasis, which focuses on options for people with allergies and sensitivities. Foods free of gluten, dairy and nuts are offered and prepared separately from the rest of the food. Chartwells also brought in a registered dietitian to oversee the offerings and be available to students. Along with the renovated kitchen is a renovated dining area, with seating for about 600 people.
Story Tags
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.
Advertisement
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
