NEW ON THE BUSINESS SCENE: LAST CHANCE GETS ONE MORE CHANCE AS HIGH WATER CAFE

It has been called the First Chance.

It was once known as the Second Chance.

Then, Last Chance.

Now, it may have one more chance.

A landmark building, which stands on ground originally owned by the Spanish commandant of the area, Don Louis Lorimier, has been purchased by its fourth owner in history, and will become the High Water Cafe, a tea and coffee shop.

The historic building, now under interior and exterior renovations, has housed a bar or tavern for more than 100 of its 120 years.

Different stories put the construction date of the building at 1850 and 1870, but both stories agree that it was erected by F.C. Krueger, who operated a general store in the corner (east) room of the building, and later opened a saloon in the west side of the building, called the "Last Chance-First Chance.

Oscar Becker operated a tavern at the site for more than 45 years.

Becker obtained the property in 1910, and kept it until 1947, when he sold to Tony Wulfers. Becker worked as an employee for Fred Daues from 1900 until he purchased the property.

The location of the building gave it its "Chance" name.

At the time of construction, Pacific Street was the city limit and the road in front of the saloon was a narrow, dirt pike called Harmony in the city and Jackson Road beyond Pacific.

The saloon was the "last chance" to have a drink before taking the Jackson Road to Jackson. And the saloon was the "first chance" to get a drink before entering Cape Girardeau on Harmony Street.

In later years it was operated as a restaurant, pizza house, and again as a tavern, the last time as the Second Chance.

The two-story brick structure remained unchanged for more than a century. But in 1978, board siding was used to cover the old bricks on the first level to give it a rustic look.

The exterior as it was originally was a typical example of German-European architecture prevalent in Cape Girardeau after Germans migrated to the area.

Since the building opened, it has had only four owners. The previous three owners were the Kruegers, John and George Wulfers and James Starnes.

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A grand opening for the new Sikeston Factory Outlet Center will be held in August, but some stores are already open in the new center off Interstate 55 near the Highway 62 exit (Mile 68).

The Aileen outlet, which features women's casual knitwear, was one of the first to open, along with Duchhead.

At least eight additional stores opened during the Memorial Day weekend, and another 18 to 20 stores are expected to open during the summer.

Phil Boyer Construction Co. of Sikeston is developer of the new 120,000-square-foot outlet shopping center. Courtney Corbett is manager of the outlet center.

Among stores now open are Duckhead, Aileen, Bass Co. Store, Hush Puppies, Wallet Works, Van Heusen, Le Creuset, Corning Revere, Geoffrey Beene, Welcome Home, Bon Worth, Cape Isle Knitters and L'eggs.

Others that have indicated they will open in the center include Dumplins, London Fog, Book Warehouse, Famous Footwear, Fragrance Cove, M.J. Jewelers, Dan River, Westport Ltd., Sweat Shirt Co., Barbiszon, Kitchen Collection, Farah and Greetings-N-More.

Officials of Phil Boyer Construction say Memorial Day was a big one for the center.

"Store owners like the fact that the center is just off the interstate and is easily visible," said Corbett. "They also like the fact that Lambert's (throwed rolls) is just down the street. There's a lot of traffic going that way."

The only restaurant in the center will be H.R.H. Dumplin's, which will open its second Sikeston location there

The stores are all owned and operated by manufacturers that sell their own goods.

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Marion Tibbs, general manager of American Superstores, headquartered in Poplar Bluff, was on hand at the firm's newest branch in Cape Girardeau for a ribbon-cutting last week.

Tibbs and Bernard Chaudoir, sales manager of the Cape Girardeau store, joined Missouri Sen. Peter Kinder, Rep. Mary Kasten and Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce President Bob Hendrix for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday.

"The store, which opened last month, has received great response from the public," said Chaudoir.

The new facility, at 201 S. Broadview, occupies the 45,000-square-foot building that formerly housed Storey's Food Giant in Cape Girardeau Centre. It features major brands of video, appliances, audio equipment and electronics. In addition, American is a dealer for several major lines of furniture and bedding.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

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A new recreation center and banquet hall has opened at Jackson.

The new business, at 100 N. Marilyn St., includes a recreation area with pool tables, video and arcade games.

"The building is also open for rent for dances, banquets, wedding receptions and other events," said David McJunkins, owner of the operation. "We have about 5,500 square feet."

The recreational activities will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays "except for all-night events," said McJunkins.

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Cliff Simmons, who recently opened Cliff's Rent to Own, 416 Morgan Oak, has more than 10 years of experience in the rent-to-own business.

Simmons served as manager of ColorTyme in Cape Girardeau six years before he and his father, William Simmons, opened their own business.

Store hours at Simmons' new business are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

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Wilburn Remodeling opened recently in Kelso.

"We're experienced in all types of residential repair and remodeling, including roofing and siding," said Troy Wilburn, owner of the new business.

Wilburn, a native Southern Illinoisan from Mound City, operated a construction business in Pulaski County for eight years. He later worked with Shawnee Development Council before moving to Kelso.

Wilburn and his son, Walt Wilburn of Cape Girardeau, operate the new business.

"We're working out of my home in Kelso now," said Wilburn, who can be contacted at (314)-264-1143.

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Wal-Mart is planning a new Supercenter at Anna, Ill.

The proposed new facility will employed about 300 associations, and will be located in the east area of town.

"This will double the employment at the current Anna Wal-Mart store," said Anna City Clerk Steve Guined, who received a letter from, Wal-Mart real estate manager Kim Black Wednesday outlining the new structure, which will be about 128,400 square feet.

This is a positive note for the city, which lost Florsheim shoe factory and Bunny Bread bakery operations in February of this year, resulting in the loss of more than 450 jobs.