Hispanic businesses find homes in Cape Girardeau

Since 2000, the Hispanic population of Cape Girardeau County has grown by about 200 people. Grade schools in the Cape Girardeau area have seen increases in the enrollment of Hispanic students. The percentage of Hispanic students at Clippard Elementary rose from 1.5 percent in 2002 to 6.2 percent in 2006. Blanchard, Franklin and Alma Schrader elementary schools have also seen increases in Hispanic enrollment.

The growing Hispanic population has brought new businesses that offer culture-oriented products and contribute to Cape Girardeau's economy.

Hugo Crespo, owner of Art of the South, a Mexican furniture store that opened in early September at 16 N. Frederick St., decided to open his business in Cape Girardeau because it's a growing city. "We want to be a part of the daily movement of Cape Girardeau," Crespo said. "It's an intersection between St. Louis and Memphis, which brings in tourists and access to a lot of people."

As part of the Hispanic community, Crespo wants to be a positive influence on the city. "We are happy to be a part of the city's growth, and we hope to bring a mix of culture," he said.

Made in Mexico

This hand-carved wood table at Art of the South features a replica of "Lady with Flowers" by Diego Rivera. (Fred Lynch)

Crespo, who was born and raised in Mexico City, wanted to bring something new to Cape Girardeau with his products, which are all hand-made in Mexico.

"These people make these products in their own back yards," Crespo said. "Each one is unique in some way because they are hand-carved or hand-painted."

In addition to furniture, Crespo sells pottery, blown glass, Saltillo tile flooring and metal art.

Feaena Seyer, owner of Fenny's Mexican Grocery at 2027 Independence St., has lived in Cape Girardeau for 19 years. She decided to open her store because, at that time, there were no places that offered Mexican food products.

"I used to travel to Carbondale to a Mexican food store to get my groceries," Seyer said. "As more people started to move here, I decided it would be good to open a store where they could get these products."

Seyer's store has been open for three years now and sells food products from Mexico as well as some from Central America. The response from Cape Girardeau residents has been positive.

"All different kinds of people come and shop at my store, not just Hispanics," Seyer said.

Another Mexican food store called International Market began offering Mexican foods and pastries a month ago at 517 Silver Springs Road in Cape Girardeau. Muy Bueno, a Mexican fast food restaurant, recently opened at 2007 Independence St. in Cape.

Hispanic people in the area would like to see more growth of Hispanic businesses and products.

"I'd like to see more Hispanic products in bigger stores, like Wal-Mart," said Ana Hernandez, a Cape Girardeau resident.

Ruben Quesada of Anna, Ill., said he would like to see the Hispanic culture become a part of the local nightlife.

Spanish influence

Other businesses in Cape Girardeau have been influenced by the increase in the area's Hispanic population.

Dr. Scot Pringle, an ob-gyn specialist, has had translators come into his office with some of his patients."I speak a little bit of Spanish, but sometimes the translators are needed to communicate details," Pringle said. "Most of my patients are in the process of learning English, so they learn more every time they visit."

Pringle said he has also seen a significant increase in the amount of Hispanic births. "Six or seven years ago I would only see about one or two non-English-speaking or Hispanic patients per month," he said. "Now I see at least one Hispanic pregnant woman every day."

Southeast Missouri Hospital and Saint Francis Medical Center have also used translators in the past and offer translation services for patients.

Global Trading Food Products on Broadway offers some Mexican food products, as does Food Giant.

Schnucks has added signage in some areas of the store to accommodate Spanish-speaking customers and offer some Mexican food products. Lori Willis, director of communications for Schnucks, said Schnucks stores reflect what customers need.

"We want to connect with our customers as much as possible," Willis said. "Specific stores felt it was necessary to put up signs so that customers would have an easier time shopping in our store."

Willis said customers have responded well to the signage and are appreciative.

Dennis Marchi, store manager at Schnucks, said the store is looking to expand not only Mexican foods but all of its ethnic food products.

"We just have the basics right now," Marchi said. "It's a category that's growing in the United States, and our store keeps adding more."

lbertrand@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137