The downtown mosaic

Rocky and Laurie Anne Everett have just about finished the interior of their business on Broadway, Annie Laurie's Antiques.

"It seems like most of the renovations started on Main Street, and hopefully it continues to expand up this area," said Laurie Anne Everett, who is now working on detailing the outside of her business, which was formerly a funeral home.

To draw people's attention, Everett is gluing small pieces of broken antique china onto the wall out front of the old building.

"Slowly but surely the downtown area's coming together," she said.

One piece at a time, just like her mosaic.

While property owners showcase the latest fixtures along the riverfront like the River View Condos, other established businesses, such as Ole Hickory Pits, continue to expand or prosper under new ownership, like Mollie's Cafe and Bar.

"It's a domino effect," said Old Town Cape director Marla Mills. "It's been our theory all along."

Though the extent of their individual commitment might vary, people together have made Cape Girardeau's historic district more appealing.

"Sometimes it's just a fresh coat of paint," Mills said. "It doesn't always cost a lot to improve a building."

Hunter and Stephanie Clark, owners of Broussard's Cajun Cuisine, did just that, painting the exterior of their bar and restaurant at 120 N. Main St. last month. The Clarks bought the business in 2004 and, as the old paint chipped away, they realized it was one of the worst-looking buildings on the block, Hunter Clark said.

The exteriors of business buildings on Main Street in downtown Cape Girardeau have been spruced up in recent years. FRED LYNCHflynch@semissourian.com

Mills attributed the inspiration for the progress on Main Street to Roger and Judith Anne Lang, when they began their building renovation two years ago.

Judith Anne Lang said the most visible change took place last summer when the exterior of the structure was redone, which included removing the worn-out canopy.

"It wasn't only to beautify downtown. It made a difference in our business too," she said.

The jewelry company, which has been in operation since 1916, had regular customers, but attracting new people took some modifications, she added.

Others are looking to the Langs' lead. Jim and Deb Maevers are considering a historical renovation of their property.

The Maevers, who own Pastimes Antiques at 45 N. Main St., purchased the connecting building that housed the Missouri Department of Transportation offices about a year ago.

Deb Maevers said she's been collecting postcards of what the building once looked like back when it was Sallie's Inns, a ladies hat shop, in 1910.

Other business owners aren't looking to renovate like the Langs, but they do want the longevity.

Chris Strode, one of the owners of Dockside Furniture & Antiques, said when she moved in the top floor of the business at 5 N. Main St. five years ago she felt like she lived in the middle of a ghost town. Now that things appear to be picking up she said the timing's right to come up with a way to help generate more income.

The other component of the 25,000 square-foot building, called Dockside The Upper Deck, serves as a banquet hall. Strode is planning on expanding it to accommodate larger parties by the end of the summer, she said.

She's received many calls from groups of people in the last few months looking to rent a room but has had to turn them down due to space limitations.

While some downtowns in the country may be in decline, recent years have brought on exciting trends for Old Town Cape, according to local real estate agent Tom Meyer.

"It's the confidence you are given when seeing other small businesses take risks and succeed," he said.

tkrakowiak@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137