Some businesses close doors, others break ground

Businesses coming and going

• Just after celebrating its 20 year anniversary, Pop's Pizza at 409 North Clark Street in Cape Girardeau has announced it is closing.

"It's kind of the end of an era," said Brad Sample, son of owner Cora Lee Sample. Because of uncertainty in the economy, the family pizzeria does not want to sign a two-year lease as required by the building's owner, Sample said. He also said his mother is looking to retire from the business. Unless a buyer is found, the business will close Feb. 28, he said.

* Bud Shell's Auto World at 411 Seimers Drive changed hands Dec. 26. It is now owned by Morlan Chrysler and will be called Morlan Pre-Owned Center. It stocks about 200 pre-owned vehicles, said general manager Jason Todt. Former owner Glynn Jarrell has stayed on as sales manager, along with many other members of the Bud Shell team, Todt said.

* MediCenter Pharmacy will celebrate its grand opening today at 465 S. Mount Auburn Road, next to Doctors Express in Cape Girardeau. A celebration will kick off with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. and festivities will continue through Feb. 1 with free blood pressure screenings, a blood drive with the American Red Cross, special promotions, giveaways and more. A grand-prize drawing, to be held Feb. 1, will include a three-night stay in four-star accommodations in Gatlinburg, Tenn. MediCenter is an independently owned pharmacy with an existing location at 200 W. Washington St, in Jackson.

* Developers of a three-story, five townhome residential project are planning to break ground mid-spring on the 300 block of North Main Street. Kenny Pincksten and Jim Riley will call the luxury complex Riverview Court and are in the planning and permit stage with the city. Pincksten said the architecture is based on historic row homes he observed while traveling in Savannah, Ga., and throughout the south. "If I am successful, it will look just like it is 200 years old, with no 200 year-old issues," he said. The project cost is estimated at more than $2 million.

Businesses supporting the community

* For the second year, the America's Farmers Grow Rural Education program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, will give Missouri farmers the opportunity to enhance math and science programs in their communities. Through April 15, farmers can nominate a local public school district to compete for a merit-based grant of up to $25,000. Administrators of nominated districts may then submit grant applications through April 30. The program expanded this year to 26 new counties, for a total of 1,271 eligible counties in 39 states. Nominations may be made by visiting www.GrowRuralEducation.com or by calling 877-267-3332. In 2012, The Oak Ridge R-VI School District was awarded $10,000 through the program, one of 11 Missouri school districts that received a total of $155,000.

* Olive Garden is asking students "How would you help end hunger in your community?" as part of the 17th annual Pasta Tales national essay-writing contest. Through March 22, students in first through 12th grade are invited to submit an essay of 50 to 250 words with their ideas for ending hunger in their local communities. The grand-prize winner will receive a three-day family trip to New York City that includes dinner at the Olive Garden in Times Square and a $2,500 savings bond. Olive Garden also will provide a $5,000 grant to bring the winner's essay to life by supporting hunger initiatives in his or her local community. Winners in each of the 12 grade categories will be awarded a $500 savings bond and a family dinner at their local Olive Garden restaurant. Entry forms and complete rules are available on Olive Garden's website at http://www.olivegarden.com/About-Us/News-and-Media/Pasta-Tales/. All entries must include the writer's first and last name, complete address, phone number with area code, grade, date of birth including year and a statement that the work is his or her own. Entries must be postmarked by March 22 and sent to Pasta Tales, PMB 2000, 6278 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308-1916. For more information, contact Lauren Simo or Catie Jackson at 954-776-1999 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST.

salderman@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

409 North Clark St., Cape Girardeau, Mo

465 South Mount Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau, MO

411 Seimer's Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO

300 North Main Street, Cape Girardeau, MO

200 West Washington, Jackson, MO