NEW ON THE BUSINESS SCENE: BOAT GAMING HOT TOPIC ON STREETS

Whether you're for or against it, riverboat gambling is the topic of the day in Cape Girardeau.

On the street, in coffee shops, or at almost any gathering, the question "What do you think?" crops up in regard to the June 8 election in which city voters will decide whether to allow a riverboat casino in downtown Cape Girardeau.

Some see a proposed $37.5 million riverfront project as an economic issue; others see it as a venture that could attract undesirable elements to the city.

Concerning the economy, this writer had an opportunity to talk with representatives of the Boyd Group Gaming and Resort Co. last week.

Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., the Boyd Group has outlined a riverfront project that will include a $15-million land-based development to include a multilevel parking garage, retail offices, Boyd Group offices and restaurants.

John Blink, corporate development representative of the Boyd Group, talked about jobs with the company.

"The employment breakdown is for about 90 workers in general administration; 370 in gaming operations; 320 in food and beverage services; and 20 boat crew members," said Blink. "With benefits, you're looking at an average salary of $27,000 to $29,000 a year."

The range of salaries will be from about $7 an hour up. There are no minimum-wage jobs, Blink said.

The company is already receiving job resumes, said Dan Davis, a Boyd Group spokesman.

"We won't be processing any resumes before the election," said Davis. He said people can still leave resumes at the office of Evelyn Boardman, 31-B N. Main. Boardman is the local liaison person for the Boyd Group.

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A Paducah motel has already sold out for a four-day period in April 1994.

"It took 36 minutes Tuesday," said a spokesman for J.R.'s Executive Inn alongside the Ohio River in downtown Paducah.

Thousands of visitors flock into this West Kentucky city during a four-day period each year for the annual American Quilter's Society Show.

"Hotels have their own methods for reservations," said a Chamber of Commerce spokesman. "Some take reservations during the show for the next year's show; some take reservations on certain dates; Some take reservations after June 1; others take them in February," said the spokesman.

The Executive Inn, which is near the Quilt Museum, took its reservations Tuesday.

With more than 15,000 attending the show each year, motels fill up over a 50-mile radius.

During the 1993 show, several quilt fans "overnighted" in Cape Girardeau. One group of about 30 women from Japan rented a waterfowl hunting club in West Kentucky.

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Cape Girardeau will have a large influx of people in town July 18-20.

The American Legion Baseball Tournament will be held here. Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesmen said approximately 450 to 500 motel rooms will be needed.

Two big conferences are scheduled in Cape Girardeau next month.

More than 700 people are expected for a Midwest Regional Mission Church of God in Christ conference June 23-25, and 500-plus are expected for a "Star Trek 93" conference June 18-20.

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A new barbecue restaurant will open in Cape Girardeau in the near future.

Triple E Barbecue, which has locations in Southern Illinois, will open at 1701 Independence.

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The American Linen Service, which opened in the Jackson Route PP Industrial Park in April 1992, held its grand opening Wednesday.

The American Linen Service, a 104-year-old company headquartered in Minneapolis, is a commercial laundry distribution center with facilities in DuQuoin, Ill., Jackson, Tenn., and northeast Arkansas.

The firm has 10 employees. Attending the grand opening were area manager Gordon Simpson, of Jackson, Tenn., and area sales and service manager Kevin Cothern of Jackson, Tenn., and Mayor Paul Sander of Jackson.

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Buy-Right Motors Inc. opened recently at 601 Highway 61 East in Jackson.

"We feature pre-owned vehicles and specialize in trucks," said Scott Schnurbusch. "We have a good inventory of trucks in all different sizes, including two-wheel and four-wheel-drive vehicles."

Schnurbusch, who was previously in the security business, and John Clippard are partners in the business. Clippard has experience in auto body repair.

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Cliff's Rent to Own, 416 Morgan Oak, will offer a number of items to consumers.

"We have furniture, appliances, televisions, VCRs and other entertainment systems," said Cliff Simmons, who with his father, William Simmons, own the business.

Cliff Simmons has more than 10 years of experience in the rent-to-own business. He was manager of a rent-to-own company in Cairo for the past six years.

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Country Shade Craft Mall Inc. has opened at 8 Plaza Way. It features crafters from a wide area.

"We have 6,000 square feet here," said Omer Luttrull of Jackson, who with his wife, Brinda Luttrull, operate the mall. "We have several local crafters, but we also have dealers from as far away as New York, Georgia, Tennessee and Kansas."

More than 130 booths are available in the new mall. We have about 60 dealers now," said Luttrull.

Hours for the new operation are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Luttrull and his wife are also crafters, specializing in ceramics.

Luttrull also operates an arts and crafts mall with more than 100 dealers at Warrensburg.

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The Paradise Express Floral Service at Scott City is under new ownership.

Mary Bell Moore of Scott City and Pat Puchbauer of Cape Girardeau have purchased the operation from Steve Roth.

Moore has seven years experience in floral design, all of it at Paradise Express.

Puchbauer, who has 10 years experience in the business, has worked at Paradise the past year.

The firm was founded in 1962.

"We do floral designing for all occasions," said Moore. "We do custom home decorating, weddings and wedding cake decorations. We also specialize in Hawaiian flowers."

Two macaws, the largest members of the parrot family, live in the flower shop.

The business is be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Service is available at other times by appointment, said Moore.

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MasterCut will open in West Park Mall Friday.

"We'll open with seven experienced operators," said Carletta Curry, group manager of MasterCut, which has 278 salons.

MasterCut is a subsidiary of Regis Corp., headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn.

"We offer hair styling, including cuts and perms," said Curry. "We're a family-oriented business and offer service for men and women."