Business Notebook: New hotel geared toward corporate clients, large groups

Cape Girardeau soon will become home to a new Hampton Inn by Hilton, said Joel Neikirk, vice president of operations at Cape-based MidAmerica Hotels Corp.

The 85-room Hampton Inn Cape Girardeau is scheduled to open next summer.

"We're slated for a July time frame for 2015," he said, although a soft opening could occur in late June.

The facility, with a conference room for crowd overflow, will be in the Park West Hospitality Center Complex near Cracker Barrel. It will be near other MidAmerica properties such as the 102-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites and the 103-room Auburn Place Hotel & Suites.

Neikirk said instead competing of with the existing properties in the complex, the new hotel is expected to attract more large groups and corporate clients, who often seek rooms in Sikeston, Missouri, and Perryville, Missouri, during busy convention weekends.

"This will provide an opportunity for those individuals to stay in Cape [instead]," he said.

Meanwhile, an existing Hampton Inn near Outback Steakhouse owned by another company is set to phase out about the time the new one opens, Neikirk said.

Neikirk also foresees accommodating the most guests on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

State general revenue rises

Net general revenue collections increased by 3.8 percent in Missouri year-to-date, from 1.95 billion last year to $2.03 billion this year, state budget director Linda Luebbering announced late last week.

Here's a breakdown of gross tax collections by type:

* Individual income tax collections: up 5.7 percent to $1.42 billion (up 1.8 percent for September)

* Sales and use tax collections: up 3.6 for the year to $512.8 million (increased 10.5 percent for the month)

* Corporate income and franchise tax collections: down 2.9 percent at $131 million (down 2.2 percent for September)

* All other collections: decreased 3.2 percent for the year to $90.2 million

Bids sought for Cape License Office

The Missouri Office of Administration is accepting management contract bids for the Cape Girardeau License Office at 112 Spanish St. The deadline to submit the bids is Oct. 24.

Prospective bidders are invited to view a Request for Proposal at dor.mo.gov/news/2014/092914. They also may visit the license office from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Wednesday to get an idea of how it is run.

The Missouri Department of Revenue is in charge of 178 license offices operated by independent agents. Bids will be judged on personnel expertise, potential performance and whether the person or entity is a not-for-profit organization, a political group, a certified minority business, a female-owned business or associated with disabled veterans.

In fiscal 2014, the Cape Girardeau license office generated $222,806 in agent processing fees (more than 66,400 transactions), the department has reported.

For more information, contact Michelle Gleba at 573-751-8222 or Michelle.Gleba@dor.mo.gov.

Jackson Chamber sets several October events

The Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce is holding several networking events this month, beginning with a Business After Hours get-together from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Arcpoint Labs, 3130 E. Jackson Blvd., Suite B.

The next is a Business Breakfast at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Hendrickson Business Advisors, 160 Enterprise Lane.

Last, the chamber will hold its annual membership drive from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 31 in the boardroom. Free breakfast and lunch will be served, and Halloween costumes are welcome.

For more information on any of these events, visit jacksonchamber.org.

Cape's Business After Hours set for Oct. 21

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce will hold its Business After Hours event on from 5 to 6 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Show Me Center, 1333 N. Sprigg St.

For more information, visit capechamber.com.

Businesses selling annual Christmas ornament

Downtown retailers in Cape Girardeau have begun selling this year's Christmas ornament, which depicts filming highlights from the movie "Gone Girl," according to Old Town Cape.

The ornament is the 18th in a series and is a limited edition keepsake. Downtown businesses selling the ornament include Bob's Shoe Service, C.P. McGinty Jewelers, Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, Houston's Fine Furniture, Jayson Jewelers, Knaup Floral, Pastimes Antiques, Philanthropy, Renaissance, Zickfield's Jewelers and Old Town Cape.

For more information, call 334-8085.

Renaissance to get new products, look

During October, Renaissance at 129 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau will celebrate 14 years in business.

The store also is being transformed into a new Art Style Living boutique by artist Sherry Yaeger and her husband and business partner, Mike Yaeger. Included is a fine art gallery with original paintings and prints, plus four new artisan gift lines.

In addition, the exterior of the business will be painted and updated, according to a news release.

The couple have operated the business since 2002.

Ray's marks double anniversary

Ray's of Kelso will be celebrating its 10th and 50th anniversaries from Oct. 7 to 11 -- 10 for the number of years the restaurant has occupied the historic bank building in Kelso, Missouri, and 50 for the Ray's brand. The business originally opened as Ray's House of Pizza and Steaks in Kelso.

Several events are planned for anniversary week, including mixers, a VIP dinner night, 1964 pizza price night and a $10 discount night.

Check the restaurant's Facebook page for more details.

Endontics practice in new location

Cape Endodontics recently celebrated the opening of its new building at 2502 Tanner Drive, Suite 203. The practice moved from Doctors' Park.

Its new hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to noon Fridays. The phone number remains the same: 334-4455.

Colbert recognized for service

Angie Colbert

Angie Colbert, a certified paraoptometric at Leet EyeCare on North Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, has been named the business' Above and Beyond Recipient for September. She was nominated by her peers.

Rouse named Employee of the Year

Jodie Rouse

Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center has named recreation therapist Jodie Rouse as its 2014 Employee of the Year. Rouse has worked at the facility for youths with emotional and behavioral problems for 27 years.

During a recent Employee Relations Day, co-workers described Rouse as being creative with a sense of humor and someone who is always willing to take on new responsibilities and challenges.

Former Cape mayor celebrates retirement

On Wednesday, Paul Stehr celebrated his retirement at Capital Insurance on South Broadview Street.

Stehr, a former city councilman who served as mayor of Cape Girardeau from 1978 to 1981, started in the insurance business at Hahs-Stiegemeyr Underwriters in 1973, according to his executive profile at capitalinsagency.com. In 1977, Hahs-Stiegemeyr was sold to Colonial Insurance Group and sold again to Cape Insurance Agency in 1988. But Cape Insurance merged with Giddens and Johnson Insurance Agency, which later became Capital Insurance and Associates.

Stehr plans to move to North Carolina.

Business licenses

* Therapeutic Massage Solutions, 1409 N. Mount Auburn Road, Suite E, is owned by Monique Little and opened Oct. 1.

* Shear Envi, 1610 N. Kingshighway, Suite 107, is owned by Nikki Meyer and changed ownership Aug. 1.

Tyler Graef contributed to this report.