Cape Restaurant Supply rises from ashes

Cape Restaurant Supply is on its way to being headquartered at its original location on South Frederick Street this summer, with less competition to boot.

Owner Ted McClellan, who has been operating the supply business from another location since the August 2004 fire, was determined to rebuild the facility on the former property.

"I just want to build back on that lot for some reason," McClellan said.

A few months ago, McClellan bought Lohmann Restaurant Supply on Broadway. Owner Dan Lohmann, 51, was called to duty in the Middle East and leaves in July. He knew he couldn't operate a business while overseas, so he asked McClellan if he'd take over his clientele.

McClellan agreed to lease the building until October and buy all the equipment in it. For now, McClellan's son-in-law, Rusty Holliday, is operating Lohmann Restaurant Supply. They are working on selling all the equipment, and whatever remains will be moved into the South Frederick Street building once it's complete in a couple of months.

"I'm 65. I didn't have any reason to buy out anyone's business," McClellan said. "But when he said he was leaving for the armed forces, that made my decision to buy it. I was in the service. I got a little bit of a feel for that."

Dan Lohmann has been in the U.S. Navy for 20 years. His father, Clarence, started the supply business in Cape Girardeau in 1940. It used to supply grocery stores with equipment then it shifted to restaurant supplies.

Dan Lohmann took over the business about 15 years ago, but he said he has been working there all his life.

When he returns from duty, he plans to rent out the building or sell it because he still owns the property, he said.

McClellan has been running his restaurant supply business out of 601 Morgan Oak St. since the facility burned down across the street. The fire was said to be one of the biggest the area has ever seen, according to city manager Doug Leslie.

The state fire marshall's office ruled the fire an accident. It was never determined what caused the five-alarm fire because the damage was so severe, but Cape Girardeau firefighters suspected it was the result of a backdraft.

McClellan said he lost everything in the building as well as a nearby Corvette. During the time of the fire, McClellan was leasing the Morgan Street facility for storage and moved his headquarters over there.

"We were back in business the next day," he said. "Nobody missed a paycheck."

Soon McClellan will be operating out of his new 10,000 square-foot building at 340 S. Frederick St. The location once housed Riverside Lumber Co.

Cape Restaurant Supply was established in 1985. It supplies restaurant equipment to businesses anywhere within 150 miles of the Cape Girardeau location. McClellan also owns Hobart Sales and Service, a restaurant equipment repair shop on Good Hope Street.

tkrakowiak@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137