Gordonville Grill sets fundraiser for fallen soldier

A Southeast Missouri man is hoping donations raised Saturday at a Gordonville restaurant will help make a project honoring the state's fallen soldiers one step closer to reality.

Ross Gartman of Gordonville Grill is organizing a fundraiser to bring in $2,200 to pay for two signs on Interstate 55 that will memorialize Sgt. Brad Skelton of Gordonville, who was killed in Iraq two years ago this Saturday. The restaurant is donating 10 percent of all sales that day. The two signs would be erected on Interstate 55 at the William Street exit.

In addition to donations for the signs, the restaurant will also accept donations for fallen soldiers Jeremy Shank and Robert Davis.

"Seeing the money raised would put a smile on the faces of those of us who knew Jeremy," Gartman said. "I'm hoping enough word gets out to the public so they can come and donate money to honor those who paid the ultimate price for our country and freedom."

Gov. Jay Nixon signed a bill in July that creates the Heroes Way Interstate Designation Program. This program allows relatives of those who died in military service in Afghanistan or Iraq to request a sign be placed along an interstate interchange that would bear the soldier's name.

In addition to the fundraiser, a memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday at Christ Lutheran Cemetery, 248 Albert Lane in Gordonville. Gartman says he has invited the Veterans of Foreign Wars along with the Patriot Guard to participate in the service.

* Saloon opening in former Club Moxy location: John Wyman of Merriwether Investments has filed a business license to open Big Country Saloon inside 107 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau. Scheduled for a February opening, the saloon will be at the site of the former Club Moxy.

When reached for comment, Wyman said he and his partners would give more details at a later date.

* Fruitland tire store closes: Best One Tire and Service, 5308 U.S. 61 in Fruitland, has a sign inside its main-floor window saying it's closed. Efforts to reach the owner were unsuccessful.

* Bud's Vacuum Sales and Services opens sister location: Bud's Vacuum has opened a sister location at 1750 N. Kingshighway.

Cape Sew and Vac merged with Cottage Quilts in Jackson, is an authorized dealer for Babylock sewing, quilting and embroidery machines as well as a dealer for Simplicity vacuums.

Both products are made in the United States, which co-owner Terri Bauer said is a hallmark of their business.

"We're trying to sell American-made as much as we can," Bauer said. "People are so conscious of what the economy is and isn't doing right now. It's our responsibility to make sure we keep our country and community alive and well."

Bauer said the store at 705 William St. is not closing and will still handle all repairs on sewing and vacuum equipment.

Cape Sew and Vac is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The phone number is 335-9272.

"This merger with the Jackson sewing business has made it easy on both of our shops," Bauer said. "So we're sticking out our neck here and praying a lot."

* New commercial development: Work on a new commercial subdivision in Cape Girardeau is underway. Crews are working on the water and sewer lines now on Boulder Crest development next to Cape County Park.

AJE Homes recently purchased the development from 360 Land Development. Six lots are available. For more information, call 450-2028.

* Running store opening: The day after Valentine's Day a new store specializing in shoes and other products designed to improve one's skill in running is scheduled to open at 1131 N. Kingshighway.

This will be the third store the Ghisallo company owns, with another running store in University City, Mo., and a bicycle store in Chesterfield, Mo. Delbert Marriott, a former professional triathlete and manager of the Cape Girardeau Ghisallo Running store, said he's excited about what he calls a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"I've always dreamed of having my own store," Marriott said. "My family prides ourselves on being fit, and I'm looking forward to helping others improve their running skills."

Marriott said one feature of the store that excites him the most is a video gait analysis. While running on a treadmill the customer is videotaped. The tape is then used to analyze which shoe would fit the person best.

The store's hours and days of operation will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Its phone number will be 803-1193.

A grand opening is scheduled for Feb. 27 to coincide with a 5K in Cape Girardeau.

* Electronics Boutique, Game Stop combine: Electronics Boutique has moved into the Game Stop store inside the mall. Employees said the move has been planned for some time because consolidating both stores -- owned by the same company -- makes sense.

* Cancer center steel structure celebrated: Last week Southeast Missouri Hospital celebrated the completion of its new Regional Cancer Center's steel structure.

The Topping Out celebration included a beam-signing ceremony and reception at 817 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau.

Construction on the facility began last year. The $33 million cancer center is scheduled to open in December.

Southeast Missourian business reporter may be contacted at 388-3628 or bblackwell@semissourian.com. <I>