Neighborhood grocery store opening in south Cape Girardeau

Patrick Buck loves south Cape Girardeau, where he has spent most of his life.

When the opportunity came along to open a convenience store, he thought one in his neighborhood was a logical choice.

Scheduled to open July 23, B&H Convenience will offer cold cuts, slush drinks, snack cakes and other foods found inside a small country store. Buck's cousin, James Fullenwider, will also hold part ownership in the store, which will be open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week at 1021 Bloomfield St.

"We think with the foot traffic it's important to have that kind of store in that neighborhood," Buck said. "It shows some ownership in the neighborhood.

"I'm part of the neighborhood of the south side of Cape Girardeau," he continued. "Like a lot of people, I still believe south Cape Girardeau has a lot of value."

* Walden Park happenings: Walden Park, a new subdivision in Cape Girardeau, has two 10-unit townhouse buildings ready for construction. Gerry Jones, managing member of RiverWest Partners, said foundation work should begin next week, with an anticipated completion date of spring 2010.

The buildings are like five others that have already opened and been leased. Rent ranges from $795 to $1,150 per month.

The community's main entrance on Route W is also progressing nicely, Jones said.

* Chamber ribbon cutting: The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting for Millers First Insurance Agency at 3 p.m. Thursday.

Following the ribbon cutting will be an open house until 7 p.m. featuring refreshments and a drawing for a Nintendo Wii and other prizes.

The ceremony will mark its move to 97 North Kingshighway, Suite 9, in Cape Girardeau. Millers First Insurance Agency had previously been at 1028 North Kingshighway for 22 years until its relocation in November.

* Hospital featured in US News & World Report: Southeast Missouri Hospital and 569 other hospitals were featured in a July 28 advertisement in the "America's Best Hospitals" issue of US News & World Report to commemorate Southeast's receipt of Get With The Guidelines Gold Performance Achievement award. The awards are given for achievement in coronary artery disease, stroke or heart failure treatment, according to a news release from the hospital.

Hospitals are recognized in each category in which they achieve at least 85 percent compliance to Get With The Guidelines measures. Those hospitals marking 85 percent compliance for 24 consecutive months are given the Gold Performance Achievement award, with the Silver Performance Achievement award going to those with 85 percent compliance for 12 consecutive months.

Get With The Guidelines is a hospital-based quality-improvement program designed to ensure hospitals consistently care for cardiac and stroke patients following the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations. The program addresses coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke. More than 1,450 hospitals participate in the program.

* Home medical equipment company receives accreditation: Healthcare Equipment & Supply Co., a durable home medical equipment company, has received the Award of Accreditation from the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation based in Waterloo, Iowa. The Perryville, Mo.-based company earned the three-year accreditation after completing an application and on-site survey that focused on patient care, financial stability and commitment to quality operational practices and procedures.

"We sought accreditation by the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation to demonstrate that our company is committed to providing excellent patient care and safety in a financially solvent environment," said executive vice president Patrick Naeger.

* Closing notes: Some of the most notable stories I've written have been broken on my blog at semissourian.com. Stories reported on the blog included the closing of the Royal N'Orleans and the owner of Ray's of Kelso in Kelso, Mo., transforming the now-vacant Plaza Conference Center into a full-service banquet facility. You can sign up e-mail alerts at semissourian.com/business whenever I post a new blog. Contact me with your business openings, news tips and any other happenings with your place of employment. The Southeast Missourian runs these news items for free.

Southeast Missourian business reporter Brian Blackwell may be contacted at 388-3628 or bblackwell@semissourian.com.;