Dexter Bar-B-Que coming to Cape

Get ready to save some money on gasoline! The latest addition to the Dexter Bar-B-Que dynasty is scheduled to open by January 2002. The location for the new restaurant is next to Applebee's and Rust & Martin on South Broadview Street in Cape Girardeau. I was privileged to handle the listing and the sale of the property for the sellers, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Rust and Dennis Stockard, to the buyer, Dexter Bar-B-Que Inc.

The founder of Dexter Bar-B-Que, Bruce Vancil, tells me that he already has a considerable clientele in Cape Girardeau. Many drive to his store in Sikeston to pick up the delicious ribs, turkey or barbecue sandwiches and chicken (offered on Wednesdays only). Bruce also does a good deal of catering in the Cape/Jackson area. In fact, the day we closed on the land, he was catering a tournament at Bent Creek Golf Course.

True restaurant pro

Last month I elaborated on the fact that there are just a handful of truly dedicated restaurant professionals. Bruce Vancil definitely falls in this category. He started in the business in 1969.

Bruce is probably such a success because of working his way up. He is an example of the American Dream come true. From busing tables in 1969 through dishwashing on up to "working the ribs" as he calls it, Bruce is personally experienced in every aspect of his business. In fact, other than a brief period he spent in construction, the restaurant business has been Bruce's life-long career. It shows too in how clean and well organized his two restaurants and catering business run. And in how happy and friendly his personnel are.

Bruce first struck out on his own in 1983 with a mobile barbecue unit. He opened his first restaurant in Dexter in 1991 and a couple of years ago opened a second store in Sikeston.

The Cape Girardeau restaurant will be the largest yet. Bruce has contracted MACCON out of Gordonville to construct the approximately 7,000-square-foot structure. They should be breaking ground this month and the grand opening will be on target for early 2002.

Unique features

Bruce is a devoted family man as well as a successful restaurateur. The combination of these two things is perhaps the hallmark of his success. His restaurants serve no alcohol, have no smoking and are not open on Sundays.

A huge portion of the business is pick-up meals to take home.

"We will of course have a nice dining room," says Bruce, "but we love to see the people stopping in to pick up a side of ribs and a quart of slaw or beans and take them home to eat with their family like people used to."

Therefore, the restaurant will have a very nicely designed, convenient drive-through as well.

Contact Cynthia Austin at www.teamaustins.com or (573) 979-SOLD or email austins@showme.net.

Cynthia deJournett Austin is the CFO of Team Austins Inc. in Jackson and a Multi-Million Dollar Commercial Specialist and Realtor with RE/MAX Achievers in Cape Girardeau.

Special note: Thank you for all the email and calls about the column on Quentin Guenther last month. Yes, he was a personal friend of ours. Several of you asked if there was anything you could do to help his family. There has been a memorial fund set up. If you would like to help this family, please contact me or send contributions directly to: The Memorial Fund for the Children of Quentin W. Guenther c/o Liberty Federal Savings Bank, Waverly, Tenn., 37185.