Slowing economy claims two local businesses

Thursday afternoon, I learned Grace Cafe is closing Oct. 15 because the coffee shop at 818 Broadway wasn't doing well financially. I know some of you have stopped there for a cup of coffee, conversation or a sandwich at lunchtime, as I have.

The cafe is the latest victim to the tough economic times in Cape Girardeau. If you've driven by Sofas and More at 1739 N. Kingshighway lately, you may have noticed several employees holding signs outside the store announcing its going-out-of-business sale. An employee at the furniture store told me owner Kevin Jones is upset that the business is folding after more than 25 years at the location.

Still, Cape Girar­deau County is faring better than most other counties in Southeast Missouri. A study by the Center of Economic and Business Research at Southeast Missouri State University found that the county's second-quarter unemployment rate stood at 4.4 percent, the second lowest among 24 Southeast Missouri counties. And each week a few businesses file for licenses in Jackson and Cape Girardeau.

But while some businesses are faring well, it's those like Grace Cafe and Sofas and More that paint a different picture. After all, it's never a good thing when local businesses close their doors.

* I'm smelling coffee: Until about a year ago, drinking coffee was a rare event for me. But a summer of working at the Washington Times in our nation's capital changed my opinion. Since a cup of joe was served at nearly every event I covered or attended after hours, I slowly acquired a taste for the brew, though I still pour in three or four creamers and sugar packets.

Coffee lovers always are looking for a new place to satisfy their taste buds.

With a planned opening sometime in mid-October, Coffee and Confections, 502 W. Main St., Suite C, in Jackson will serve gourmet coffees, herbal teas and baked goods such as cinnamon rolls, muffins, brownies and cookies. For those monitoring their health or watching their waistline, a selection of diabetic and low-fat foods will be offered as well.

The coffee shop features Wi-Fi availability. It will be open 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.

While Cape Girardeau and Jackson have their fair share of coffee shops, it'll be interesting to see how the newest one in Jackson will perform.

Owner Melinda Wehrle said it has taken about a year to develop the concept.

"I felt like Jackson needed something like this," Wehrle said. "The location is also a plus, with plenty of parking and not far from the heart of Jackson."

* Pizza Pro of Jackson moving: Not too far from Coffee and Confections will be the newest location of Pizza Pro of Jackson. Currently at 117 S. Hope St., the restaurant is moving to 515 W. Main St. in mid-November. Owner Dan Cook told me the new 2,000-square-foot location will offer a parking lot that can accommodate up to 30 cars, future dine-in space, faster delivery service and a drive-through window. Cook also said the location will decrease traffic problems that existed at the current 1,200-square-foot location. New menu items will include sub sandwiches and Greek salads.

* New business to offer gift baskets, UPS shipping: For 15 years, Mark Dansby sold hand-made gift baskets through his Internet-based business. When a building on the corner of Shawnee Boulevard and Old Cape Road became available, Dansby knew the timing was right to expand his operations and add a retail store. Scheduled for an Oct. 14 opening, Granny B's Treasures and Gift Baskets will offer gift baskets for a variety of occasions, such as anniversaries and births. Customers have the option of customizing a basket by selecting items such as chocolates, stuffed animals, popcorn and peanuts.

Dansby named the business after his mother-in-law, Barbara, whom he said everyone calls granny. The store will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

"We'll be an old-fashioned store where people can come in and sink in the aroma of what we offer, which is a unique and needed concept in this area," Dansby said.

* Three-minute earth-friendly car wash to open on Kingshighway: Boyce W. Church was all smiles as he showed me the plans for a new car wash at 1902 N. Kings­highway in Cape Girardeau. Scheduled to open between late December and early January, the auto spa will allow customers to park their vehicles on a conveyer belt that will transport the vehicle through a 130-foot tunnel for a three-minute wash.

In an effort to be environmentally friendly, the water will pass through a recovery system to be recycled. Church estimates this feature will save him hundreds of dollars each month in the long run.

"I know time is money, and the few minutes that it takes to pass through the car wash will save people just that," Church said.

* Cape Girardeau businessman opens fifth restaurant: Bill Zellmer is quite the busy guy. In August 2002, he opened a Buffalo Wild Wings in Cape Girardeau. And Dec. 7, Zellmer will open his fifth location of the restaurant in Farmington, Mo. Other locations include Sikeston, Mo., Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Carbondale, Ill.

In a tough economy, it's encouraging to see franchises expanding.

"Wings, beer and sports — it's hard to go wrong with that," said Zellmer, who was named to Business Today's Top 40 under 40 in March. "Even in this bad economy, people still want those three things."

* Investment firm moves: Edward Jones in Cape Girardeau has moved from 215 N. Sprigg St. to 3095 Lexington Ave., Suite 100.

* Pawn shop relocates: Money Time Pawn has moved its operations to 2112 Broadway from 1901 Independence St. The shop's hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

* Baby economics: When I first began this job, I didn't care about the cost of diapers or the safest baby stroller. But that all changed last week with news that our first child is due May 28. While hiking or watching the Nebraska Cornhuskers and other football, basketball or baseball teams on TV or in person are still my main hobbies, brushing up on the latest prices of baby items just joined that list.

I've already received some advice from friends, relatives and readers such as cubbytodd, who suggested if it's a boy we name him Wrigley. And I'm open to much more. After all, I have eight months to learn before the boy or girl is born and many more years after that to absorb as much as I can about parenting, which is a lifelong lesson.

Business reporter Brian Blackwell can be reached at 335-6611, extension 137, or bblackwell@semissourian.com.