NEW ON THE BUSINESS SCENE: SHOE CARNIVAL TO OPEN SATURDAY

Shoe Carnival, a business that has been around almost a decade providing footwear for the entire family, will open in Cape Girardeau Saturday.

The new store will occupy 12,000 square feet in Cape West Business Park, in a strip center on Siemers Drive.

In the same Cape West Plaza will be Staples Office Supply, Factory Card and the Dollar Tree, which will be opening later this month.

A grand opening celebration for Shoe Carnival will be held Saturday, with a 9 a.m. opening, said Andrea Pierce, promotions manager of Shoe Carnival Inc., Evansville, Ind.

Live entertainment will be provided and free prizes will be presented each hour during the weekend, including grand prizes of shoes for a year, a big-screen TV, and hot tub. A prize of $1,000 in cash will also be presented.

The first Shoe Carnival opened in Evansville by founder and company president David Russell. The company, which went public in 1993, has grown to 94 stores in 17 states.

The company provides name brand and private-label shoes for men, women and children, and also provides games for youngsters.

Charles "Chuck" Templeton, manager of the Carbondale store, will be manager of the Cape Girardeau store. He has been with Shoe Carnival nine years.

The Shoe Carnival presents a carnival-like atmosphere for its customers.

A ringmaster, who occupies a stage in the store, is the first person customers see when they enter the store.

"It's a concept that our customers have grown to like," said Cindy Daly, director of marketing for the company, which already has stores in two nearby communities -- Carbondale, Ill., and Paducah, Ky.

The operation centers around fun, said Daly.

The ringmaster, or announcer, greets customers, tells them where the bargains are, makes various announcements and answers trivia questions.

Shoe Carnival will employ between 30 and 40 people.