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Wine and spirit shop opening in Regents Parc (3/8/10)Next month Regents Parc will gain a wine and spirit shop. Primo Vino, 1610 N. Kingshighway, Suite 105, will offer mostly wine, high-end liquor and imported beers, according to general manager Keller Ford. Other items for sale will include sausages, cheeses, glassware and wine bottle openers...
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Cape Girardeau Walgreens to begin selling alcohol (3/1/10)In the near future customers will find alcohol on the shelves at Walgreens in Cape Girardeau. According to spokesman Robert Elfinger, the Cape Girardeau store is one of many in the nation that will begin selling beer and wine. Elfinger said the company decided to start selling alcohol to meet a growing customer demand...
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A part of Cape Girardeau County at Vancouver's Olympic Games (2/22/10)The 2010 Winter Olympics has brought its share of joy and heartbreak. The tragic death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili and American downhill skier Lindsey Vonn overcoming an injured shin to win a gold medal were among the most memorable moments thus far...
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Jasper's to become Sunset Spirits & Smoke Shoppe (2/15/10)A month has passed since crews began removal of petroleum tanks and equipment from Jasper's, 1008 N. Kingshighway. Within the next few weeks the business will reopen but as a discount tobacco and liquor shop. Its new name will be Sunset Spirits & Smoke Shoppe...
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Gordonville Grill sets fundraiser for fallen soldier (2/1/10)A Southeast Missouri man is hoping donations raised Saturday at a Gordonville restaurant will help make a project honoring the state's fallen soldiers one step closer to reality. Ross Gartman of Gordonville Grill is organizing a fundraiser to bring in $2,200 to pay for two signs on Interstate 55 that will memorialize Sgt. ...
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Cape West 14 Cine to host event for children with disabilities (1/25/10)In a few weeks, Cape West 14 Cine will offer disabled children and their parents a chance to view a film in a setting quite unlike the normal theater. Scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 13, the first ever Sensory Sensitive Saturdays will allow patrons to view the movie "Madagascar 2" in a setting adjusted for autistic and other disabled movie-goers with moderately dimmed lighting, no previews, lowered volume and comfortable temperature level. ...
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Nominate the movers, shakers and newsmakers of 2009 (1/18/10)Once again it's time to send in those nominations for people in the local business community who have made a difference in their work and community. Nominees will be selected for Business Today's upcoming feature recognizing area movers and shakers...
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Store for outdoor enthusiasts opening soon (1/11/10)A company offering home decor and specialty gifts online for the outdoor enthusiast will open its first retail outlet in Cape Girardeau. Gray Goose Products, 821 Broadway, plans to open Jan. 18. Owner Thomas Lowe said the business began selling over the Internet such products as deer- and horse-themed wine bottle holders and bass- and shotgun shell-themed mailboxes in 2008, and now needs a retail location...
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A quick look at the highs and lows of 2009 (1/4/10)A few days have passed since we bid 2009 farewell. The year was filled with its share of ups and downs for businessmen and women and the consumer. January started off with a bang, when Southeast Missouri Hospital broke ground on its cancer center. The $33 million facility, near Central High School off Mount Auburn Road, will play a part in the effort to battle one of the most deadly diseases in the nation. ...
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Convenience stores change gasoline brand from BP (12/28/09)If you've driven around town lately you may have noticed several convenience stores no longer carry the BP brand of gasoline. BP spokesman Daren Beaudo told me the company decided to stop providing their product from the Scott City terminal recently...
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Wanted: Readers' picks for top stories of 2009 (12/21/09)A little more than three weeks are left until we bid 2009 farewell. For some it was a joyous time filled with many happy memories while others are hoping 2010 brings better results in this lackluster economy, such as a new job or a home sold. Building on that, I'm seeking your thoughts on the top business stories that happened in 2009. I'll have a complete list in an upcoming column. E-mail me your top picks from the following list (or even ones that aren't listed) no later than 5 p.m. Dec. 28:...
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Schultz Senior Apartments open for business with 30 occupants (12/14/09)The transformation of Cape Girardeau's first public high school into senior housing is now complete and open for business. Thirty occupants moved into Schultz Senior Apartments when it opened today. Sixty-six percent of the building is leased to qualifying applicants...
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Majeed returns to run Stevie's Steakburger (12/7/09)When Steve Majeed left Cape Girardeau to return to his native Pakistan in July, he believed the move would be for many, many years. But e-mails and phone calls from former customers of Stevie's Steakburger business at 600 Broadway prompted him to move back to the area to operate the burger joint and SEMO Gas, 40 N. Sprigg St., both of which he leased. Majeed told me he wasn't pleased with the way Stevie's Steakburger was being managed...
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Parakeet Jungle first step in bringing back area safari park (11/30/09)A store specializing in parakeets has opened inside West Park Mall, but its owners say it's just the start of reviving a former safari park. Across from Pasta House, Parakeet Jungle offers customers a chance to walk through an enclosed caged jungle that houses more than 270 parakeets. Inside the cage, customers can interact and feed the birds for a small fee...
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More people expected to travel by car this Thanksgiving (11/23/09)The roads are likely to be more crowded this Thanksgiving, North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization predicts. AAA said about 33.2 million people will use an automobile to travel more than 50 miles from their home. That's 700,000 more than last turkey day...
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Cape education supply store to close after 20 years (11/16/09)Since 1989, 3 R's Plus Supplies in Cape Girardeau has served thousands of teachers. But the education supply store is calling it quits by the end of the year. Owner Judy Borgfield told me she's reached retirement and decided now is a good time to close...
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ReStore marks second anniversary with celebration (11/9/09)Cape Area Habitat for Humanity's ReStore is celebrating its second anniversary and will hold three customer appreciation days to mark the occasion. Popcorn, soft drinks, cake and coffee will be served from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday...
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McCombs Funeral Home opens crematorium (11/2/09)McCombs Funeral home in Jackson has opened its crematorium. Situated behind the funeral home at 640 W. Independence St., the crematorium includes an office, a handicapped-accessible restroom and a room for viewing the cremation if desired. The facility also has a receiving area to hold the body until cremation...
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Spending predicted to be down this Halloween (10/26/09)Fewer goblins and gangsters could be roaming the street this Halloween if predictions from one retail federation holds true. However, local retailers said they aren't seeing a drop. The National Retail Federation's national survey of consumers predicts that Americans will spend $4.75 billion on Halloween products this year, a decrease of 17 percent from 2008. The federation predicts the average consumer will spend $56.31, down from $66.54 last year...
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Video game club opening in West Park Mall (10/19/09)Video game addicts longing for a place they can gather for hours upon hours of play will have their wish granted with the opening of Playmoors inside Cape Girardeau's West Park Mall. Scheduled for an early November opening, the video game club will allow patrons to pay one price to play a multitude of games on Wii, PlayStation 2 and 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Gamecube for a day...
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Former Slumberland owner hopes new invention will change toilet paper industry (10/12/09)Former Slumberland owner David Patrick has given up the furniture industry with sights set on becoming successful in a vastly different business -- marketing a device gives off a good scent as it prevents toilet paper rolls from unwinding. For more than 30 years Patrick has been bothered by his toilet paper roll unwinding more than he preferred, but he never could solve the problem. Earlier this year Patrick came up with what he believes is a solution...
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From Pladium to D'Ladium: Pool hall celebrating 50 years (10/5/09)I'm not much of a pool shark myself, but those who are may be interested in this item. D'Ladium, 1127 Broadway, is marking its 50th year in business. J.R. Beaver, general manager of the establishment for 35 years, said Jerry Priest had a vision to start a pool hall in Cape Girardeau, and on Oct. 15, 1959, Priest opened the Pladium...
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California Juice Club reopening as Dino's Pizza (9/28/09)In the past few weeks I've received quite a few calls asking about the fate of California Juice Club, 1034 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. And for those fans of the restaurant that closed earlier this year, the good news is it will be reopening soon. Owner Kostas Demopoulos told me he plans to reopen the restaurant in about a month as Dino's Pizza, a name it operated under when it opened in 1969...
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Wait is over for Qdoba fans: Grill opens today (9/21/09)Fans longing for Cape Girardeau's Qdoba Mexican Grill to open will finally have their chance to sample the restaurant's fare starting today. Qdoba, at the corner of Silver Springs Road and William Street, will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday...
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Mall loses one store, announces future openings (9/14/09)During Tuesday's Tour of Missouri I was assigned to hang out for a few hours at the parking lot in front of the old Steve and Barry's location at West Park Mall. I had a little time to kill before the shuttles began transporting passengers downtown, so I strolled through the mall to see if there were any changes...
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Be among the first to know breaking business news (9/8/09)On Aug. 28 I broke the story that Morlan Auto Group (with locations in Sikeston, Mo., and Dexter, Mo.) plans to open a dealership in Cape Girardeau. Those of you on my e-mail and text alert list were the first to know that by early October, Morlan Chrysler will occupy the former Saturn building at 374 Siemers Drive...
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More people staying home for Labor Day this year (8/31/09)If you're planning on spending this Labor Day at home, you're not alone. According to a recently released poll by North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, there will be 13.3 percent fewer people traveling on Labor Day weekend this year than last. In its poll, AAA predicts 39.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles or more from their home, down from 45.1 million Americans who traveled during the holiday weekend last year...
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Travel agent flies solo with own business (8/24/09)Earlier this year Cynthia Schutt opened Tailored Travel, one of three agencies by that name in the U.S. Recently Schutt became an independent agency owner with the opening of All Around Travel, though the location at 4 S. Pacific St. in Cape Girardeau hasn't changed...
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Motorcycle shop parade going for world record (8/17/09)Cape Girardeau could see someone set a Guinness World Record on Sept. 26. Grass Roots BMW, 28 S. Spanish St., will attempt the feat when more than 130 BMW motorcyles are expected to participate in a two-mile parade through the city. If that happens it would surpass the record of 128 that was set at the village of Einsiedeln, Switzerland, on June 12, 2004...
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Banners, flowers to decorate Uptown Jackson streetscape (8/10/09)Less than a month remains until crews begin construction on the Uptown Jackson streetscape project engineer Tom Strickland thinks is the first step of revitalizing the area. The improvements on a section of High Street between Main and Adams streets will include historic reproduction lighting, sidewalk pavers, benches, bike racks and trash receptacles. ...
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Drury comes out on top of rankings again (8/3/09)Drury Inn and Suites has once again earned a top ranking in a hotel guest customer-satisfaction survey. For the fourth consecutive year J.D. Power and Associates ranked the chain first among mid-scale hotel chains with limited service. Among the 14 hotels listed in the survey, Drury Inn and Suites was the only one to earn a five-star rating in all four categories: overall satisfaction, reservations process, guest room satisfaction and check-in and check-out process...
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Marvels & Legends relocates to roomier spot (7/27/09)Marvels & Legends in Cape Girardeau has relocated. Formerly at 1030 Broadway, the store moved to 1029 Broadway on July 15. Jack Huskey, who owns the store with his wife, Jennifer, said the move allowed him to double the size of his storefront and expand his selection of posters from three to 12 and T-shirts from 60 to hundreds...
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An update on Independence Center's progress (7/20/09)Earlier in the year I wrote about efforts to change the face of Independence Center, 27 units at Plaza Way. Since the article was published in mid-April the parking lot has been repaved and several stores have opened or undergone renovations. Tailwinds RC Hobby Center opened last week at 1 S. Plaza Way. The hobby center sells radio-controlled helicopters, airplanes, boats and related supplies and parts...
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Neighborhood grocery store opening in south Cape Girardeau (7/13/09)Patrick Buck loves south Cape Girardeau, where he has spent most of his life. When the opportunity came along to open a convenience store, he thought one in his neighborhood was a logical choice. Scheduled to open July 23, B&H Convenience will offer cold cuts, slush drinks, snack cakes and other foods found inside a small country store. Buck's cousin, James Fullenwider, will also hold part ownership in the store, which will be open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week at 1021 Bloomfield St...
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Majeed sells Stevie's Steakburger, SEMO Gas (7/6/09)After nearly 11 years of conducting business in Cape Girardeau, Steve Majeed has sold SEMO Gas and Stevie's Steakburger. Majeed is returning to Pakistan within the next few weeks to join his wife, Toni, and their children, who already are living there. For some time Majeed has been planning to sell his businesses and move to his homeland but wasn't able to close the deal until June 30...
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Rose Bed Inn owners break ground on new art gallery (6/29/09)The owners of the Rose Bed Inn Bed & Breakfast in Cape Girardeau are planning to add an art gallery. Set to open Oct. 2, the Aartful Rose at 631 S. Sprigg St. will feature an art gallery and banquet hall that can accommodate up to 150 people. The groundbreaking for the facility was held last week. Co-owner James Coley said work began that day and should be complete by September...
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Doc Cain opening new restaurant (6/22/09)Doc Cain, the owner of Port Cape Girardeau restaurant, is planning to open another restaurant next month, but it will be much different from Port Cape. His son, James, will serve as the head chef of the restaurant, called Cain, which will feature contemporary American cuisine...
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Restaurant to move to new spot in mall (6/15/09)El Durango moves to new location today: Last week I reported that EJ Roni's will become the newest restaurant in West Park Mall. Now, a sign is up alerting El Durango customers that the Mexican restaurant is moving today from its spot near Journey's into the old McAlister's Select, which is near the main entrance of the mall...
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Pizza coming to mall (6/8/09)Shoppers at West Park Mall will soon have another option to grab a bite to eat. Johnny Carter and Eric Long plan to open EJ Roni's by the end of the month next to Smoothie and Pretzel Co. EJ Roni's will serve pizza, hot dogs, burgers, soft drinks and more...
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Former Cape Girardeau city manager starting own business (6/1/09)When Doug Leslie retired in late February from his post as Cape Girardeau city manager, he planned -- among other things -- to renew his pilot's license and fly remote control airplanes. By July 1 Leslie plans to sell model airplanes at his new business, Tailwinds RC Hobby Center...
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VA clinic to occupy former Pier One Import building (5/26/09)Come September, a local building that has remained unoccupied for a while will have a new tenant. An official at the City of Cape Girardeau inspection office said a Veterans Affairs clinic will move into the building that once housed Pier 1 Imports at 3051 William Street...
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New barbershop to open on Broadview in June (5/18/09)A new barbershop will open by June 1 at 121 S. Broadview St. Suite 3 in Cape Girardeau. FroShapers is a contemporary barbershop that will offer razor shaves, haircuts, eyebrow arches and necklines. Owners Aubrey and Tara Daniel, who have owned other barbershops in town, will employ four barbers...
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Decorative cake business opens in Cape Girardeau (5/11/09)If you're looking to celebrate your birthday with a treasure chest cake or your wedding with an elaborate yet traditional cake, the area has one more option with the opening of A Creative Cake. Open since late April, A Creative Cake offers homemade cakes with pretty much any design you'd want...
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Strategic plan discussed at First Friday Coffee (5/4/09)Revitalization was the topic of discussion at last week's First Friday Coffee. Old Town Cape executive director Marla Mills held another discussion on the plan to revitalize sections of downtown Cape Girardeau. Regardless of how many times such meetings are held the public never seems to tire of learning more about ambitious plans to transform the downtown into an amazing place to work, play and visit...
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The face of Independence Center is changing (4/27/09)If you've driven past Independence Center in Cape Girardeau lately you may notice it's receiving a face lift. Property manager Jummie Ready said the 27-unit complex that includes the former Cozmo's building off Independence Street will receive new landscaping and lighting and a new parking lot. Already the brick outer walls of the units have been replaced with stone...
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Boutique store opens in Jackson (4/20/09)Those who enjoy boutique shops in Jackson may be pleased to learn their options expanded with the opening of Chic 'n Little Boutique. The shop, at 2370 N. High St., Suite 5, sells handmade products such as hair bows, personalized jewelry, custom children's clothing, birthday hats, bow holders, coat racks, diaper bags and purses...
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Scott City emergency veterinary clinic opens (4/13/09)A new emergency veterinary clinic has opened in Southeast Missouri. Animal Emergency Center in Scott City offers emergency care and 24-hour critical care. Since the clinic opened in mid-March, owner Dr. Stephen Williams said some pet owners have traveled from as far away as 100 miles to receive care for their animals. Among the 30 to 40 emergency surgeries his staff has completed so far are trauma procedures and treatment for animals struck by vehicles...
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New library to open in May (4/6/09)Time is drawing near for the move to the new 40,000-square-foot Cape Girardeau Public Library at 711 N. Clark Ave. Library director Betty Martin said the library will be moving out of its temporary home at 301 S. Broadview St. after May 3 and will reopen later in the month...
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No kidding: Stevie's Steakburger restaurant on Broadway to reopen April Fool's Day (3/30/09)Stevie's Steakburger, which had closed for the winter months, is reopening Wednesday, owner Steve Majeed said. The fast food restaurant at the corner of Broadway and Frederick Street opened in early September but closed in late November. American Ice Cream at 221 S. Hope St. in Jackson has also recently reopened after closing for the winter...
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New tax credit causes confusion among some (3/23/09)Some area workers may have noticed a few more dollars in their latest paycheck and it's creating confusion for some. The Making Work Pay Tax Credit that was part of the $787 billion stimulus legislation recently passed by Congress is reducing tax rates for single individuals earning less than $75,000 and joint filers earning less than $150,000, resulting in extra cash this year and in 2010. ...
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Lawn care business expands in economic climate (3/16/09)Lawrence Concho owes a lot to landscape maintenance. While he was a student majoring in accounting at the University of New Mexico, the job provided enough money to pay for his tuition, fees and living expenses. And when the slowing economy was a reason for Concho losing his job at an accounting firm in Southeast Missouri, he took a proactive approach and turned to landscaping to start a new business...
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Comfort Suites opens in Jackson (3/2/09)Nearly a year and a half after ground was broken, Comfort Suites in Jackson has opened. Construction of the 64-room hotel at 2904 Old Orchard Road began in 2007. It is part of the Choice Hotels chain, which includes 10 brand-name lodging groups, including Quality Inn, Econo Lodge, Sleep Inn and Clarion...
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Jackson Save-A-Lot undergoing changes (2/23/09)A family ownership group has purchased the Jackson Save-A-Lot at 1905 E. Jackson Blvd. The St. Francois County-based Can Stockers -- a group of two brothers, two sisters and a father -- recently acquired the store and are in the midst of a major remodeling project...
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New tenant moves into Branding Iron building (1/19/09)Ever since the Branding Iron closed Nov. 23, 2008, the property at 1015 N. Kingshighway has been without a tenant. That will change Feb. 1 when a family restaurant opens in the space. Bobby's Kitchen will be open 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week. Its co-owners may sound familiar to those who patronize Fruitland Diner. Krissty Steers and her husband, Bobby, opened the eatery in August 2008. Bobby's Kitchen's menu will be the same as Fruitland Diner...
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Business in 2008: Newcomers, expansions balanced cutbacks (1/5/09)Another year has come and gone. As I approach my 30th birthday Feb. 24 and my wife and I close in on the birth of our first child (I find out the gender Friday afternoon), it seems like each year passes more quickly than the last. 2008 wasn't a vanilla year for business news throughout the state. I've compiled the top five business stories of 2008. While many more could have been included, these were ones that stood out as the main newsmakers of last year...
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The Business Buzz: What business story was tops in 2008? (12/29/08)On Wednesday many Americans will join friends to ring in the New Year together. Some will count down the minutes until midnight at New York City's Times Square. Others will spend time at a restaurant, participating in a midnight service at a local church or in front of their couch watching Ryan Seacrest host "Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve." I'll be preparing for my Nebraska Cornhuskers' Gator Bowl victory over Clemson — I hope...
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Will you be home for Christmas? AAA thinks so (12/22/08)Last week AAA motorist group said the tough economy is forcing more Americans to stay closer to home for Christmas than in 2007. The organization estimates that about 63.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home, a decrease of 1.4 million travelers from last year's total of 65.3 million. ...
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Howard's store moving; old property may become SEMO parking lot (12/15/08)Howard's Athletics Goods is planning a January move. Terry Slattery of Howard's said he plans to move from the current location at 900 Broadway in Cape Girardeau to 835 Broadway, where Garden Gallery is at the moment. The two businesses will share space, with Howard's occupying the front part while Garden Gallery will be in the back of the building...
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'The Coming Economic Earthquake' (12/1/08)Two Fridays ago I was driving back to Cape Girardeau from Farmington, Mo., and came across a rather interesting radio program. In 1991 Larry Burkett, late co-founder of Crown Financial Ministries, wrote "The Coming Economic Earthquake." His book warned about the dangers of the growing hunger for debt in our society and federal government...
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Business Buzz: High hopes for Thanksgiving weekend (11/24/08)Only days remain until Thanksgiving weekend, a few days of visiting with family, cheering on a favorite football team and stuffing oneself with turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie, and hitting the mall at 5 a.m. Yes, I'll be there bright and early the day after Thanksgiving to cover the madness known as Black Friday (and relaxing that afternoon with my wife and her extended family as we watch my Huskers hopefully beat up on the Colorado Buffaloes)...
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Membership drive adds to Jackson, Cape Girardeau chambers (11/17/08)Friday morning I attended a breakfast honoring new Jackson Chamber of Commerce executive director Brian Gerau, who assumed the post Nov. 1. Gerau, who is the husband of Southeast Missourian advertising executive Sara Gerau, seems to be a great fit for the job. The chamber's membership increased by 38 during its October membership drive to its current 400 members...
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Cape business community learning to be QuakeSmart (10/27/08)Last week I attended an earthquake preparedness forum at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. Aimed at business leaders, QuakeSmart is an intiative to encourage companies to take actions that will reduce damage to their buildings, provide greater safety for employees and customers and speed recovery in the event of an earthquake. This is done through educational campaigns geared toward small and emerging businesses in the area...
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Cape's west side gets Contract Postal Unit (10/20/08)U.S. Postal Service officials have announced the addition of a Contract Postal Unit to provide postal services to customers on the west side of Cape Girardeau. It will open Wednesday at the First State Community Bank, 2527 William St. The center is scheduled to operate 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday...
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The latest mall casualty (10/13/08)Last week brought the announcement that McAlister's Select is no longer in business at West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau. The deli's closure is not good news for mall management, who now must find another tenant to fill the space. On Aug. 28 officials with Steve & Barry's confirmed the discount clothing store would be closing its West Park Mall location, which will leave the 80,000-square-foot space unoccupied. Mall management will not comment on either situation...
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Deciphering the Fannie-Freddie takeover (9/15/08)Over the past week it seems like television news has devoted most of its programming to Hurricane Ike, gas prices, the upcoming presidential election and the federal government's takeover of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. While all four stories affect our country's financial market, the somewhat complicated Fannie-Freddie situation in particular has caught my attention...
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When disaster strikes, they're only a call away (9/8/08)A week has passed since Hurricane Gustav barrelled through Louisiana and other areas of the Gulf Coast, passing through Southeast Missouri by the weekend. Memories of destruction and high gas prices caused by Hurricane Katrina have prompted many people to anticipate $5-per-gallon gas...
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The evolution of a major news story (9/2/08)Many times the Southeast Missourian and other media outlets report breaking news stories, but you may wonder, "how'd they do that?" I felt explaining behind-the-scenes details about the process of writing about Cape Girardeau's Steve & Barry's closure would be a perfect example to clue you in on the evolution of a breaking news item...
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A new place for sports fans to gather (8/18/08)Football season is almost here, and that means long Saturday and Sunday afternoons spent with friends eating bratwurst, pizza and potato chips in front of the TV. For those looking for a place other than a living room to cheer on your favorite team, check out the new sports pub at 1812 Carondelet Ave. off North Kingshighway...