T.J. Maxx sets opening day for Cape store

T.J. Maxx is planning a grand opening for its new Cape Girardeau store at 8 a.m. Oct. 24, according to T.J. Maxx spokeswoman Thea Houghton.

The discount retailer is moving into the former Goody's Family Clothing location at 308 Siemers Drive.

T.J. Maxx has more than 800 stores nationwide and is known for offering name-brand clothing, accessories and home decor at discount prices. According to its website, T.J. Maxx will open nine new stores in seven states during October.

* Banners downtown: Downtown Cape Girardeau's streets are a little brighter thanks to new light pole banners. The banners, going up along the riverfront area and along Broadway, were funded by a Preserve America Grant written by Old Town Cape for the City of Cape Girardeau, said Marla Mills, executive director of Old Town Cape. Also included in the grant was funding for other marketing and promotional pieces coordinated by the Convention and Visitors Bureau, including billboards and advertising. It also included a way-finding signage review that is nearing completion.

* Ready to blitz: The United Way of Southeast Missouri kicked off its 2010 Small Business Blitz last week with a goal of $10,000 in contributions from local small businesses. The Blitz is chaired by Lisa Rodman with The Bank of Missouri and Angie Umfleet with Chap Arnold Insurance. They are assisted by teams from The Bank of Missouri, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Montgomery Bank and Wood & Huston Bank. The teams have until Oct. 1 to turn in their pledges.

* Cab company: Pinnacle Transit Inc. of Farmington, Mo., is seeking a taxi cab license from the city of Cape Girardeau at tonight's council meeting. The company plans to operate one 12-passenger and one 15-passenger van, according to an application filed with the city by Brad Kocher of Pinnacle Transit.

n Bold new space: BOLD Marketing has moved to 107A West Drive in Cape Girardeau. The new location affords more than twice the space of its previous location, with more

than 3,000 square feet, said Dana Hukel, president of BOLD Marketing. The company offers market research, strategic planning, branding and traditional media, as well as interactive and social media options.

* New location: Dan's ComputerWorks has relocated to 6089 Main St. in Frohna, from its previous location on U.S. 61 in Jackson. Daniel Petzoldt, owner and chief technician, has been repairing computer systems since 1999 and returned to Southeast Missouri in 2004 from Southern California.

* Business moves: Marathon Benefits Group has relocated to 325 S. Kingshighway, Suite D, in the Kings Row retail center. Marathon Benefits Group, previously at 760 S. Kingshighway, offers a variety of insurance, retirement and investment opportunities and programs.

* Free workshop: The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Southeast Missouri State University will host Listening to Your Business, a free, one-night workshop, on Oct. 12. The instructor will be Buz Sutherland. Registration is required and can be done online at www.semo.edu/cie/training or by calling Glenna Ervin, 651-2929.

* Bidding website: Contractors, consultants, suppliers and disadvantaged business enterprises now have a centralized location to visit on the Missouri Department of Transportation's website to find bidding and contracting opportunities. The new site is www.modot.org/bidding. Before, this information was housed in various locations on the department's home page depending on the type of work offered. The department said pulling these locations into a consolidated page, will simplify the bidding and contracting process for businesses wanting to do work for MoDOT.

* Energy source: Alternative Energy Solutions has opened at 334 N. Frederick St. in Cape Girardeau. Owner Joe Schlitt will be selling outdoor wood furnaces, according to a business license filed with the city.

* Lending business: Empire Finance has opened at 121 S. Broadview St., Suite 8, in Cape Girardeau. The company offers small personal loans, according to a business license filed with the city.

Southeast Missourian business reporter Melissa Miller may be contacted at 388-3646 or mmillersemissourian.com.