Old Town Cape launches online directory

Old Town Cape and Element 74 have launched a new online business directory to help customers find what they're looking for in downtown Cape Girardeau. The directory of downtown businesses can be found at www.oldtowncape.org/newdirectory.

The directory is divided into sections for dining, shopping, exploring, night life, lodging, venues, beauty salons, worship and other services. Each business listing now features the address, phone number, location on Google maps and any social media sites.

Along with the redesign of each section, visitors to the site can now look up a business using a search feature. That will help visitors quickly and efficiently find the business information they are looking for.

"We are always looking for ways to promote and highlight our great downtown businesses, and this new directory that Element 74 has helped us create is another tool for us to do just that," said Marla Mills, executive director of Old Town Cape. "We have some great downtown businesses and now a new directory to highlight them."

* Yvonne's Restaurant is now open at 1015 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. It is owned by Yvonne LeGrand, who previously owned Yvonne's in Benton, Mo., for nine years. The restaurant offers homestyle daily specials Sunday through Friday. Its menu includes salads, burgers, grilled sandwiches, catfish, pizza and homemade deserts. Yvonne's serves breakfast all day. LeGrand sold her restaurant in Benton in October, but after taking a few months off, she says she's ready to get back into the restaurant business. Her Cape Girardeau restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

* The Cape Girardeau County Emergency Management Action Committee is urging area businesses to be prepared by purchasing a NOAA Weather Radio for their business. "NOAA Weather Radios are a great, inexpensive way for businesses to receive severe weather information directly from the National Weather Service," said Richard Knaup, Cape Girardeau County Emergency Management director and chairman of EMAC. "This advance warning will help businesses to alert and protect their employees as well as their assets." EMAC is a group of public and private individuals with a responsibility or interest in emergency management who meet quarterly to discuss current and future emergency plans, learn of training opportunities and review incidents. Businesses that have an employee with emergency planning responsibilities or are interested in becoming more involved are welcome to join EMAC by contacting Knaup at 204-0911.

* The Bank of Missouri's "Jumpstart Your Business Contest" is aimed at helping small local businesses and entrepreneurs who are looking to start a new business or expand their existing business. The contest coincides with National Small Business Month. "We are giving away $1,000 cash in each of our markets which includes Perryville, Cape Girardeau, Jackson/Marble Hill, Springfield, Republic/Ozark/Branson and Columbia," said Caitlin Schlichting, online marketing specialist for The Bank of Missouri. "The cash awards will be used toward the winner's business endeavors." Local business owners and entrepreneurs who fit the Small Business Administration's size guidelines can submit an entry telling about their business plans. Details on the contest, which runs through June 29, can be found on The Bank of Missouri's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/thebankofmissouri, or online at www.bankofmissouri.com.

* The Tri-State Advertising and Marketing Professionals group will host its monthly luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Port Cape Girardeau restaurant, with Elizabeth Shelton, owner of Write Results Marketing, a firm that specializes in business communication. The lunch will include an interactive presentation of marketing and advertising communications. Tickets are $12 for members; $10 for students and $15 for visitors. Anyone interested in learning about marketing, communications and advertising is invited to attend the public event. Tickets may be purchased online at www.tristateamp.com.

* SoutheastHEALTH has been recognized as a platinum-level, fit-friendly company by the American Heart Association for helping employees eat better and move more. As a platinum-level employer, Southeast offered employees physical activity options in the workplace; increased healthy eating options at the work site; promoted a wellness culture in the workplace, implemented at least nine criteria outlined by the American Heart Association in physical activity, nutrition and culture, and demonstrate measurable outcomes related to workplace wellness.

* In celebration of its 125th anniversary, United Way Worldwide recognized Procter & Gamble with the 2012 Spirit of America award for philanthropy, volunteer efforts and community impact at its annual national conference May 3 to 5 in Nashville, Tenn. Bank of America and Wells Fargo received Summit Awards for volunteer engagement and community impact. P&G is the largest financial contributor to the United Way of Southeast Missouri with contributions of more than $281,000 during the 2011 campaign. Bank of America and its employees raised more than $35 million through United Way campaigns. Locally, Bank of America contributed close to $10,000 to United Way of Southeast Missouri's 2011 campaign. Wells Fargo is United Way's top national campaign raising $56 million annually. Wells Fargo contributed $3,813 locally to United Way of Southeast Missouri's 2011 campaign. The company also offers a volunteer leave program that provides fully paid volunteer leave for up to four months for team members to work on a significant project affecting a not-for-profit organization or school.

Southeast Missourian business editor Melissa Miller may be contacted at 388-3646 or mmiller@semissourian.com.