Business notebook: New hardware store has familiar faces

A hardware store has opened in Jackson. And though the building and the name are new, inside there is familiarity.

Ken and Monica Fluegge began construction on Ken's Ace Hardware in March, not long after the sale of Pocahontas Lumber and Hardware, an Ace Hardware store owned by Ken Fluegge's parents, aunt and uncle.

His family sold Pocahontas Lumber and Hardware last year. It now operates as an R.P. Lumber.

Ken Fluegge spent nearly four decades working in that store.

"Well, more than that, but that's what I was on the payroll for," he said with a laugh.

Matt Flueggue, left, poses Tuesday with his parents Monica and Ken Fluegge, outside their new store, Ken's Ace Hardware, in Jackson.Laura Simon

And so, when the door of one family business closed, he built another door, put his name on it and opened it.

Ken's Ace Hardware features a newly constructed 12,000-square-foot retail sales floor staffed by 12 employees.

Ken Fluegge manages the store alongside his son, assistant manager Matt Fluegge. Monica Fluegge has a full-time job apart from the new store, but she often can be found there, helping to keep the business on track.

The store also boasts many of the same products and brands Pocahontas did, alongside new offerings such as smokers, grills and Yeti coolers.

Ken's Ace Hardware caters to the do-it-yourselfer, the Fluegges said, offering everything from plumbing repair kits to snow shovels.

Twenty-five percent of the store is dedicated to paint and painting accessories.

Monica Fluegge spoke of plans for an outdoor garden center. They have the space, but it's not yet in season.

Matt Fluegge said the store carries 30,000 items and has access to another 86,000 through the co-op warehouse.

The decision to open his own store after the closing of his family's business was not one Ken Fluegge took lightly. It took "a lot of soul-searching and research, and a lot of people in town saying, 'Hey, we need a hardware store; we miss Ace Hardware,'" Monica Fluegge said.

It was the community support that motivated them.

"That's kind of what prompted us to keep going," Ken Fluegge said.

And that community support has continued since they opened in October. The customers, they said, have returned enthusiastically, glad to have an Ace Hardware back in Jackson.

Ken's Ace Hardware, open seven days a week, is at 426 E. Main St. in Jackson.

Studio opens in uptown Jackson

Between the Scenes Studio for the Performing and Visual Arts opens today in uptown Jackson.

The studio is working in conjunction with Lauren Ashley Photography to immerse children in all aspects of the performing arts: theatre, dance, music, film, photography and agent work.

Between the Scenes offers classes in creative dramatics, storybook theater and musical theater for students of all levels.

Artistic director Hevan Leon already has several performances planned. The studio's first project will be the musical "Hamilton."

The Between the Scenes/Lauren Ashley Photography studio is at 127A W. Main St. in Jackson. Between the Scenes Studio can be reached at (573) 382-8422.

Saint Francis heart care receives accolades

For the fifth consecutive year, Saint Francis Healthcare System's Heart Hospital has been named among the best in the nation for treating patients who have had a heart attack by the American College of Cardiology NCDR ACTION Registry.

Saint Francis Medical Center received the ACTION Registry-Get With The Guidelines Platinum Performance Achievement Award, making it one of 223 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor in 2016.

To receive the award, Saint Francis had to meet certain standards of treatment for eight consecutive quarters, scoring 90 percent or better.

"The standards are meant to guide hospitals both in treating heart attack patients and in working with them to prevent another incident," Dr. Duc T. Nguyen, interventional cardiologist at Saint Francis Medical Center, said in a news release.

According to the release, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates more than 700,000 Americans suffer from a heart attack each year. This award recognizes hospitals that consistently have saved lives and improved outcomes in heart-attack patients.

"Simply put, we are saving more lives and improving more outcomes for the heart-attack patients we see, and that's good news for hearts in the communities we serve," Steven C. Bjelich, president and CEO of Saint Francis Healthcare System, said in the release.

Bank of Missouri marking 125 years

The Bank of Missouri is celebrating its 125th anniversary.

Festivities will take place in all Bank of Missouri branches from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.

There also will be an open house from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Francis E. Robinson Training & Event Center in Perryville, Missouri.

All are welcome to join in the festivities.

It was on Nov 2, 1891, that The Bank of Perryville received a state charter. From that point until 1902, The Bank of Perryville served as the only bank in Perry County.

Over the years, competitors began to organize, and despite this, The Bank of Perryville grew. The bank changed its name to The Bank of Missouri in 1997 and expanded first into Cape Girardeau, then opened 23 branches in 15 cities around the state of Missouri.

Mondi Jackson recognizes employee

Mondi Jackson LLC recently recognized the following employee anniversary:

• 25 years: Daniel Steffens

Area financial reps honored for October

Lisa Reynolds of Poplar Bluff, a financial representative with Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, was named District Representative of the Month for October.

She has been with the organization since April 2012.

Kelly Darby of Jackson, a financial representative with Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, was named Life Leader in the Missouri East Region for the month of October.

She joined Modern Woodmen in November 2010.

bbrown@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630