NEW BUSINESS ON THE STREET: NEW BUSINESS OWNER

My Daddy's Cheesecake, a gourmet cheesecake business which was established almost a decade ago, is under new ownership.

Wes Kinsey of Cape Girardeau, who has more than 20 years of experience in baking, and his wife, Ann, have purchased the downtown business, from Tom and Jane Harte and Joe and Lauchette Low.

Kinsey, a graduate of the Wilton School of Confectionery, previously worked with the Wilton School of Decorating, where he helped in publishing five books on cake decorating.

Kinsey, who has worked at My Daddy's Cheesecake during the past two years, while operating his own business, Wedding Cakes by Wes, officially became owner today.

My Daddy's Cheesecake was founded in 1987 by the Hartes and Lows as a part-time business at Plaza Galleria. The new business opened its retail business at 111 N. Main in 1992 and has been operating as a retail, wholesale and mail order business.

Although the primary product is cheesecake, the baker also offers cookies, muffins, scones and brownies.

The name, "My Daddy's Cheesecake," which will remain, was originated by the Hartes' daughter, Jill, who served as a waitress during a summer job while in college.

Jill cajoled her dad, who has long been a home chef, into baking about "four cakes a week" for Jeremiah's, a downtown restaurant, where she worked.

Jill suggested to customers that they try a slice of "my daddy's cheesecake" for dessert.

Before long, other waiters and waitresses started using the line and the name stuck.