STRICTLY BUSINESS: FARMERS MARKETS PROVIDE ECONOMIC BOOST IN THE AREA

Farmers markets are something special.

Vegetable shoppers can snatch up some of the freshest produce and at the best prices, say people familiar with the markets which provide a variety of items -- peppers, cucumbers, corn, beans, squash, tomatoes, okra and other veggies.

But shoppers may not find many veggies when two farmers' markets open in Cape Girardeau this week.

"We're getting an early start," said John Knaup, one of the regular vendors at the weekly markets here. "It's still a little early for vegetables."

Vendors, however, will be featuring house plants and "bedding" plants like peppers, tomatoes and various flowers.

The Cape Girardeau Area Farmers' Market will open at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Plaza Galleria parking lot here.

The Downtown Farmers' Market will also start this weekend at the Downtown Pavilion.

"It is a little early," said Evelyn Boardman, who was instrumental in starting the downtown market. "There is no charge for the downtown market. We just ask vendors to set up and clean up afterwards."

The downtown market is held each Friday and Saturday, starting at 8 a.m.

Farmers' markets and vegetable growing provide an added boost to the area's economy.

During the summer more than 65 "official" farmers' markets are held in Missouri. Unofficially, however, there are many more when you count all the roadside stands and truck tailgates in Missouri towns where surplus produce from family gardens is sold.

Farmers at the market set their own prices. There is no middleman.

If the prices are too high, shoppers will pass them by. If they're too low, consumers will rush the stand like a bargain day at Macy's.

Shoppers in Cape Girardeau have become accustomed to the farmers' markets. Jim Welker, one of the founders of the market at Plaza Galleria, said many people visit the outdoor market just to stroll and chat with friends and vendors.

The two Cape Girardeau markets are designed for vendors who have produced fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers. Producers who sell jelly, jams and baked goods must have produced the principal ingredient included in the product. Both of the markets here will run May through October.

Farmers' markets aren't just for small farmers and hobbyists. Many operators of medium and large farms have turned to the "no-middleman" marketing activity.

"It's a low-capital activity," said one farmer who turns to farmers' markets for immediate cash flow. "The biggest expense is time, and it's worth it: you may lose the family farm buying cattle, but you won't lose it by planting a few acres of vegetables and flowers."

The majority of farmers doing direct marketing view it as a supplement to traditional marketing outlets or a nonfarm job in town.

You may not build up a $30,000 business, said an executive of the National Farmers' Direct Marketing Association. But it's not all a hobby thing either; some produce a good chunk of cash.

Vegetable growing is big business throughout Southeast Missouri, but many of the growers sell direct to processing companies.

"There are about 19,000 acres of vegetables in Southeast Missouri," said Tim Schnakenberg, Missouri University Extension agronomy specialist at Charleston. "That's better than 60 percent of the total vegetable production acreage in the state."

Schnakenberg noted some risks, however, to the veggie grower. Insects and diseases are a worry. The climate that makes vegetables prosper (warm, plenty of humidity, moisture) is the right stuff for bugs and plant maladies.

But, if all goes right (no hailstorms), a grower can realize a $3,000 to $5,000 profit on an acre.

Potatoes are one of the potential big moneymakers. Schnakenberg said as many as 6,000 to 7,000 acres of potatoes were grown in the Southeast Missouri area and sold to potato chip companies.

There are also many acres of tomatoes, sweet corn, watermelons, cantaloupes, zucchini, southern peas, pumpkins and squash.

Schnakenberg said the vegetable industry has become big business for a number of landowners over the past five years.

New on the business scene

The Central Inn will reopen Friday.

The tavern at Independence and Frederick streets will have a new owner and a new name.

Paul and Debbie Seesing are new operators of the "Corner Pub."

"We'll be open six days a week," said Debbie Seesing. "Presently, we're looking at an 8 a.m. opening time."

The old Central Inn, which had operated as a bar for more than 85 years, opened at 6 a.m. daily until March 20 when customers found the doors closed.

"It will still be like the old Central Inn," Seesing said. "It still has the same front bar."

The interior of the tavern has undergone some renovations, painting and other work.

"And, we have a different back bar," said Debbie Seesing, who added she hoped to see a lot of the old crowd that visited the tavern and some new visitors.

Two Cape Girardeau businesses are scheduled to open in new quarters today.

Room Mates, which is observing its 15th anniversary, and Sign Master have relocated to 360 S. Kingshighway.

Ed McCormick and his wife, Veronica, own and operate both businesses.

The new quarters will provide more than double the space previously occupied by the two businesses. Room Mates, which will have the lion's share of the space, recently signed a franchise for San Juan in-ground fiberglass swimming pools. Room Mates is also the dealer for Vita Spa for Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

Room Mates has been in the waterbed business 15 years and is expanding its Sleep Center Department by adding England, Innerspring, a new Land & Sky Air Bed. The company is also the local dealer for AMF Billiard tables.

The McCormicks operated a retail store in Town Plaza Shopping Center 25 years. Prior to Room Mates, McCormick was part-owner of Roth's Clothing Store.

Sign Master, which was previously at 1909 Broadway, is doubling its current size at the new site. The company will increase services to include auto striping, graphics, and window tinting to add to its full service banner and sign department.

MPH Rentals, a 70-unit storage facility, recently opened along Highway 61 in Fruitland.

The new storage building contains two unit sizes, 10 by 10 feet and 10 by 24 feet.

Owners are Ed McClary and Max Prill, both of Jackson, and Troy Hendrix of Fruitland.

River City Loan Co has opened in downtown Cape Girardeau.

The new business, at 111 Independence, offers personal and payday loans, among other services.

River City Loan, headquartered in Oklahoma City, has a number of operations.

Gerri Ann Davis, formerly of Oklahoma City, is manager of the Cape Girardeau operation.

The store will be open six days a week, 9 a.m to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Godfather's Pizza, 2109 William, has closed, but it may be a temporary thing.

A spokesman for Godfather's, a pizza chain of more than 500 restaurants, said the Cape Girardeau restaurant closed when a lease on the building expired.

"The owner of the building did not want to renew the lease," said Dennis Pierson. "I think you may see another Godfather's Pizza in Cape Girardeau within the next year."

Godfather's, headquartered at Omaha, Neb., has 520 stores, with 150 company-owned operations.

The Cape Girardeau restaurant, which opened here in 1980, was company-owned.