Kerasotes may switch scenes

Kerasotes Theaters is looking at a major upgrade for its Town Plaza Cinema. One option: a brand new theater that would better compete with Wehrenberg's behemoth Cape West 14 Cine on Siemers Drive.

"We're considering it," said Bob Gallivan, director of real estate for Kerasotes. "We're looking at various options, but a new theater is one of them."

Gallivan was mum on details and said he would know more by later this spring or early summer.

What I've heard is that Kerasotes was considering renovating the five-screen theater, but then shifted to looking at property in Cape Girardeau where it could build a larger multiscreen movieplex. One property it's considering is the piece of land next to World of Honda on North Kingshighway.

A snarky aside: Would more screens in town mean we could get decent movies here -- "Sideways," "Million Dollar Baby," "Hotel Rwanda" -- before they get Academy Award nominations?

* New Perryville restaurant close to opening: John Staggs has been asked the same thing for months: When's the Perry Classic Diner going to open?

"That's the million-dollar question," said Staggs, who owns the Sears in Perryville.

Staggs bought the building in November -- it was a Denny's in St. Louis -- and had it transported by truck to Perryville in six pieces. It was assembled and has sat empty since.

The weather has caused problems, pushing back outdoor concrete work. But now Staggs hopes to have the 1950s and '60s style restaurant open by mid-March.

"I originally wanted to be open before December," he said. "But weather's going to be a factor."

Staggs said that the restaurant, which sits along Highway 51, will serve breakfast all day and everything from burgers to steaks. It will be a family-style restaurant.

The restaurant will seat 100 people and will employ 25 to 30 workers, he said.

* Perryville Pizza Inn: Speaking of Perryville, Scott Coleman -- who owns the Dairy Queen and Pizza Inn in Fruitland -- has confirmed his plan to open a Pizza Inn in the new Cross Roads Village on West St. Joseph Street in Perryville in May.

The Jackson resident said Perryville is a good market.

"We've been looking up there for a while," he said.

Right now, interior work is being finished and equipment is being installed, he said, adding that there's still quite a bit of work to do. The new business will hire 35 to 40 people.

* Coad buying Soskin Toyota: Coad Chevrolet is in the process of buying Soskin Toyota Mitsubishi. Alan Soskin made the announcement to his employees recently and, according to a source close to the negotiations, the deal only hinges on approval from corporate decision-makers at Mitsubishi and Toyota. Approval is not expected until May, but a management agreement -- that would allow Coad to operate Soskin Toyota Mitsubishi -- could come next month.

* Walgreens eyeing Jackson: Rumors are hovering around Jackson that Walgreens is looking for a spot to build a new retail pharmacy. While everyone's being quiet on this, I have it on good authority that they're more than rumors.

* Two new Scott City businesses: Main Street Market and Streets Graphics are the two newest businesses on Main Street in Scott City.

Main Street Market opened two weeks ago at 1416 Main St., and owner Heidi Stickel calls it a variety shop that has everything from calendars to hardware, from cleaning supplies to children's toys.

"We pretty much have everything," she said.

Meanwhile, Streets Graphics, the newest tenant at 520 Main St., is set to open today, said owner Jeremy Street. His business features Web design, graphics and computer repair.

Street, 24, said his first business venture has him on edge.

"It's very tough," he said. "It's very stressful."

* The Cut opening today: Dynesha Swan is opening The Cut barbershop today at 623 Good Hope St.

The barbershop will be for men and offer regular men's haircuts, fades, eyebrow arches, etc., said Swan, who graduated from SEMO Barber College. She's been cutting hair for two years.

Scott Moyers is the business editor of the Southeast Missourian. Send your comments, business news, information or questions to "Biz Buzz," 301 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0699, extension 137. They can also be e-mailed to smoyers@semissourian.com