Business Notebook: Missouri wine, grape industry value grows to $1.76 billion

Missouri's wine industry grew 150 percent during a recent 10-year period, according to the results of an economic-impact study recently released by the Missouri Wine and Grape Board.

The study, which looked at the "full economic impact of Missouri wine and wine grapes" in 2013, was commissioned by the board and performed by Frank Rimerman + Co., an accounting and consulting firm.

"Missouri's wine, grape and related industries had a total economic value to the state of $1.76 billion in 2013," the study read. "The continued increase in the wine industry's economic impact to the state of Missouri is based on increased tourism revenue, wages and jobs while production and the number of wineries in Missouri also are on the rise."

The number of people who visited Missouri wineries in 2013 was estimated to be "roughly 950,000," according to the study. Wine, grapes and related industries provide Missouri 14,959 jobs with an associated payroll of about $454 million, the study estimated. Most of the jobs were in the tourism industry, the study found.

Most of the state's wine-production industry consists of small wineries that produce less than 5,000 gallons per year, the study found, and most also sell directly to consumers through winery tasting rooms or directly to retail stores and restaurants. Sales of wine at wineries generated $34 million in 2013, according to the study.

The number of wineries in Missouri in 2013 was 128, up from 97 in 2009.

Local wineries, several of which have opened during the past few years, include Apple Creek Vineyard & Winery near Friedheim, Steele Crest Winery near Jackson, Hemman Winery in Brazeau, Hunter Valley Winery near Cape Girardeau, River Ridge Winery in Commerce, The Barrens Winery in Perryville and Thousand Oaks Winery in Patton.

Bank of Missouri merges with Bank Star

The Perryville, Missouri-based Bank of Missouri announced Bank Star of the BootHeel has agreed to a merger, which will bring Bank Star locations in the Southeast Missouri cities of Steele and Caruthersville to join The Bank of Missouri.

As of July 21, Bank Star of the BootHeel had $94 million in assets, and The Bank of Missouri held $1.1 billion in assets, according to a news release. The proposed transaction remains subject to approval by Bank Star shareholders and banking regulatory authorities, the release stated. The merger is expected during the fourth quarter of 2015.

"We are excited the customers and employees of Bank Star of the BootHeel will be joining The Bank of Missouri family, and we look forward to becoming a part of the communities they serve," said David Crader, CEO of The Bank of Missouri. "This combination creates a stronger presence and enhanced convenience, along with a broader array of banking products and services."

The Bank of Missouri also recently announced the opening of a loan/deposit production office in Nixa, Missouri. The bank has 21 total locations in Southeast, Southwest and central Missouri, according to a news release.

Community bank president Mick Nitsch said in the release a location in Nixa fills a gap for customers between locations in Republic and Ozark. Tim Cobb will manage the Nixa location.

Two restaurants open in Marble Hill

The Woodland Cafe and the Mayfield Cafe, two new restaurants in Marble Hill, Missouri, opened July 22, according to the Banner Press newspaper.

The Woodland Cafe, which replaced the old Woodland Steakhouse, is managed by Kathy Schaefer of Grassy and will offer "home cooking" with specific cuisines on different nights, the newspaper reported. The restaurant will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.

The Mayfield Cafe is at the Mayfield Cultural Center and will offer items made fresh from locally available produce, along with bakery treats. The restaurant also will offer catering. Hours will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

Sale of veterinary service complete

La Croix Pet Hospital at 2984 County Road 620 in Cape Girardeau is under new ownership. Dr. Ann Seabaugh Kinsey recently bought the veterinary service from Dr. Gwenn Freitag, according to Kinsey.

Ribbon cuttings

• A Higher Caliber Firearms Training will hold a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Aug. 11 at the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, according to a chamber newsletter.
• The law office of Mary Eftink Boner will hold a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. Aug. 13 at 608 W. Main St. in Jackson, according to a chamber newsletter.

Business licenses

• House of Paws, 2036 Cape LaCroix Road, Cape Girardeau, is a dog-grooming salon owned by Ashley Hahs, according to a business license application.
• Maui Whitening, 97 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, is a laser teeth-whitening service owned by Jennifer Renee Farrow, according to a business license application.
• Red Foster LLC, dba Dempsey's, 127 N. Water St., Cape Girardeau, will offer retail alcohol sales, a dart league and meeting space for community organizations and wedding receptions. It is owned by Amy Pool, according to a business license application.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3632