Mystery surrounding Mollie's closure continues

Is downtown fine dining restaurant Mollie's closed?

Rumors have been swirling since a sign was posted on the door, at 11 S. Spanish St., before Christmas indicatnig at least a temporary closure.

It reads, "Due to a equipment malfunction, we will be closed this evening. Sorry for the inconvenience. Thank you."

But to report a business has closed for good, I can't rely on rumors. I must talk to a source, and in this case, that has proved difficult.

Here is what I can verify:

Repeated calls to Mollie's over the past few weeks have gone unanswered. The restaurant's phone is now disconnected.

The building's owner, Mary Ann Kellerman, said Mollie's owner Scott Nagel rents the building from her, but she has also been unable to reach him. Kellerman said she hopes he plans to reopen. A message I left on his cellphone was not returned.

On Jan. 9, the Missouri Division of Employment Security filed a $9,259.79 judgment against Just Scott LLC operated by Scott Nagel, for unpaid employment taxes.

The state liquor license for the restaurant expired June 3 according to the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. A spokesman for the agency said they have not received any complaints or done any investigations into Mollie's.

The restaurant's city business license, like all business licenses in the city, expired Dec. 31. It is yet to be renewed for 2012. The restaurant's city liquor license is valid through June 30. City utilities are still turned on at the building.

Several readers have called or emailed me saying that they have gift certificates to the restaurant they are now unable to redeem. Unfortunately, this situation occurs often when a business closes. I suggest you file a consumer complaint with the Missouri attorney general's office online at www.ago.mo.gov/consumercomplaint.htm.

* Mike Jaco and Brad Altenthal, of ALT Consulting, recently purchased Heartland Pneumatics. The business, at 3527-C Perryville Road in Cape Girardeau, was started in 1995 by Lonnie Moss. He continues to work for Heartland Pneumatics as a repair specialist. Heartland Pneumatics provides pneumatic and hydraulic equipment service, repair and sales including air impact wrenches, air compressors, air cylinders, air motors, pressure washers, hydraulic floor jacks, hose, cord and cable reels. They also install car lifts and service automotive appliances such as wheel balancers, tire changers, brake lathes, etc. It is an the authorized service center for NAPA equipment, Challenger car lifts, Whitco pressure washers, Ingersoll Rand, Champion, Campbell Hausfeld, Chicago Pneumatics and Corghi.

* Holt Agribusiness will open a dealership at 101 County Line Road in Sikeston, Mo. Tom Kelsey, commercial broker with Lorimont Place Ltd. in Cape Girardeau handled the recent real estate transaction. Holt is a full-service dealer for agricultural equipment sales, service, parts and rentals. it offers agricultural products, implements and special application machines. Kelsey said the Texas-based company purchased the former Medlin Equipment dealership property consisting of a 22,600-square-foot showroom and shop building on 16 acres of land that fronts U.S. 60 just west of the Interstate 55 and 57 intersection. The property was leased by Medlin for several years and owned by Nelson Family Trust from Poplar Bluff, Mo. No sales price was disclosed but the Lorimont website had a listed price of $1.2 million. The Sikeston dealership will primarily be an agribusiness branch, the newest of 10 dealerships Holt's network with eight locations in Texas and one in Jonesboro, Ark.

* LeBounce Play Centre in Cape Girardeau has added Bazooka Ball. Bazooka Ball at LeBounce consists of powerful air guns shooting soft foam balls more than 100 feet, said Maddy Bruegging, general manager at LeBounce. The playing field is an almost 6,000-square-foot obstacle course, complete with hurdles, black lights and scoreboard. Each player is equipped with their own bazooka, vest and arsenal of balls. Bazooka Ball play is available daily from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday. LeBounce is inside the City Centre at 2502 Tanner Drive, the former location of Rust & Martin.

Southeast Missourian business editor Melissa Miller may be contacted at 388-3646 or mmiller@semissourian.com.