A new laser show in Cape Girardeau

When Jennifer Eudy's father went to a trade show in Las Vegas last year, he got his daughter a little present.

Actually it was a big present, too big to fit on the plane ride home and, at 1,100 pounds, far too heavy. But he told her where she could go to pick it up: Massachusetts. When Eudy came home from New England in April 2003, she had a new laser image engraver on a trailer behind her car, the training to use the engraver and an idea for a new business.

A year later, that vision has come to fruition at 18 N. Spanish St. in Cape Girardeau. Eudy's new store, Laser Memories, will officially open in the next few weeks.

With her new toy, Eudy can engrave images or photos on the surface of anything from marble and granite to glass and metal, and she can do it any size, from that of a mural down to that of a Christmas ornament.

Eudy scans a photo or image into her computer. The engraver then essentially prints that image out, only instead of using paper, it engraves the image out on a wall, floor or other object. Eudy recently applied her newfound trade to the granite wall of the Jackson Police Department, where she engraved the image of the department's patch surrounded by members of the force.

Although she's been touring her skills around the area with the machine on a vending trailer over the past year, her new location gives her a permanent base from which she can work and supply materials such as special types of marble. But of course, she can still take her show on the road to you, so you won't have to bring your walls or floors into the shop.

Alternative thinking on Broadway: The building at 637 Broadway in Cape Girardeau is old. New owners Fred and Donna Themm have traced its origins through tax records as far back as the 1850s. But the wares that the Themms are dealing out of their historic building are associated with theologies that are old enough to make the place seem like a new downtown condo.

Two weeks ago, the Themms opened the newest location of The Bell, Book and Candle in the old Thorngate Outlet Store building, which they purchased a month ago. The store caters to those interested in ancient, earth-based religions.

Expanding from their previous store at 1029 Broadway, the new outlet offers books, meditation music, crystals, herbs, tools, jewelry and gift items for followers of alternative religions such as Wicca, paganism, Egyptian theology, Celtic theology, Norse theology and others.

"We don't deal in anything satanic," Donna Themm emphasized.

In addition to more retail space, the bigger building offers room for a community area that facilitates studying and workshops in Wicca and paganism. The workshops are for those who follow these religions as well as those who are just curious.

The Themms are currently trying to assess exactly how old the building is and to restore it. They are also working with a consultant to get it on the national registry for historic buildings.

Hobby Lobby plans grand reopening: Today marks the official reopening of a newly expanded Hobby Lobby Creative Center at 207A S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau.

The business has a new storefront complete with new sliding doors and a larger store sign, not to mention an extra 8,000 square feet of floor space. That extension puts the total space of the popular arts and crafts retail store at 51,000 square feet.

The new space will accommodate an expanded seasonal section for Christmas, fall and spring lines. It also makes room for some wider lanes -- stretched from 5 feet to 7 feet in width, two new checkout lines and brighter lighting.

Store manager David Vaughn said it remains to be seen whether the expansion of the 11-year old Cape Girardeau store will actually increase sales, but he said the changes have already netted some positive feedback from customers.

Jackson native sets up online dining menu: In 2002, computer engineer Fred Stoverink left Jackson for the bright lights of Los Angeles and the prospect of opening his own business. Using his computer background and his love for restaurants, Stoverink soon cooked up the idea to create a Web site that focused on his L.A. neighborhood's eateries and their menus.

Not forgetting his roots, Stoverink has now released a version of his Web site for the Cape Girardeau and Jackson area. Showmepages.com is a new Web location that features menus for local eateries. Restaurants interested in listing their menus on the site can call Stoverink at (310) 500-5399.

Tony Rehagen is the business editor for the Southeast Missourian. Send your comments, business news, information or questions to Tony Rehagen, 301 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0699, e-mail trehagen@semissourian.com or call 335-6611, extension 137.