After 13 years, Wymans decide to sell Mollie's

smoyers

Since it opened 13 years ago, Mollie's has been the elegant setting of marriage proposals, prom dates and high-powered business dinners.

But it's also been a nice place for anyone who wants to go and grab a bite to eat.

That it maintained such a broad appeal is testament to its owners, John and Jerri Wyman, Cape Girardeau's resident authorities on fine dining who also own the Royal N'Orleans and Bella Italia.

But the couple is passing the torch to the man behind the food for 10 years and his new business partner.

The Wymans closed the sale on May 6 with longtime chef Matthew Tygett and the restaurant's general manager, Michael Risch.

"We want to further our interest in the Italian restaurant and do a couple of those," Jerri Wyman told me last week. "So we decided to sell Mollie's to people who knew what they're doing. Matt and Mike both know what they're doing."

She said that longtime customers needn't be alarmed that she and her husband will no longer be at the helm.

"We know that they're going to keep it at a very high standard," she said. "We know that they'll not only do great things at Mollie's, but that they'll also keep the downtown's interest at heart."

Wyman said they want to focus on Bella Italia and the N'Orleans and possibly open other Bella Italias in other cities. (She was being mum for now about details.)

"We want to take it to a franchisable level," she said.

Wyman said the men approached them when they heard that another party was interested in buying it.

"We really hadn't been thinking about selling before that, but we saw it as an opportunity for us and for them," she said. "I think they're going to do a wonderful job."

Tygett said no changes are planned for Mollie's.

"It's going to be the same as it has been," he said.

Keeping Mollie's the same as it has been under the Wymans' direction sounds like a smart business decision.

Chilly reception

The Dairy Queen in Scott City has been closed for some time. But kids looking to fight off the summer heat with an ice cream cone will soon have a new place to go.

Virgil Landewee, who was the manager at the Scott City Dairy Queen for years, plans to open a new ice cream parlor called the Ice Cream Corner by the end of this month, according to his wife and co-owner, Carrie Landewee.

The shop will be at 2302 Main St., just east of where the new Sonic is opening.

"Our main thing will be ice cream," Carrie Landewee said. "But we're also going to have hamburgers, barbecue sandwiches, hot dogs and soda."

Let there be jobs

Poplar Bluff-based Genesis Employment has extended its services to the Cape Girardeau area. Ramona Grubb, the owner, said the business is set up to find employment for the disabled.

She said they meet with clients to do an assessment, which determines which jobs they might be able or willing to do. They also help them fill out resumes, applications and provide tips on going through the interview process.

They also hook them up with would-be employers looking for help.

"Having a job gives them the independence that they're looking for," she said.

The jobs are usually entry-level and are 20 to 25 hours a week. Employers get tax incentives for hiring the disabled.

"It gives them a feeling of independence," she said. "Idle minds are the devil's workshop."

Olympic Funding

Olympic Funding has opened its new office at Heritage Square at 2131 William, the former site of Victory Mortgage.

Owner Wade Cardwell said the seven-employee mortgage company had been operating for its first few months out of a real estate office but quickly outgrew that.

Cardwell said his company is only one of a few brokers that offers multipayment options on the loan with rates generally below 3.875 percent. He said they also can close most deals within four business days.

And for folks who have had credit glitches, he said they also have access to AmeriQuest, one of the world's largest subprime lenders.

Antiques squared

Two new antique stores have opened in Cape Girardeau.

Triple S Flea Market has opened at 402 S. Sprigg, in the old Salvation Army Building. The owners are Fred and Helen Stilley of Olive Branch, Ill., and their son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Meca Stilley.

"Furniture, collectibles, antiques," said Helen Stilley. "We've really got a little of everything."

Further down Sprigg is Antiques Etc., at 225 N. Sprigg, which opened two weeks ago. The business features antiques and collectibles and is owned by Mary Collins and Wanda Cooper.

Good news

A bullish staffing scene -- one of the best in the nation, in fact -- is on the horizon for Southeast Missouri this summer, at least according to the latest Economic Outlook Survey, released by Manpower Inc.

The quarterly poll of local firms reveals that 62 percent plan to increase their staffs during the July/August/September period, while none foresees reductions. The rest will stay at current levels.

Looking head, hiring appears likely in construction, durable and non-durable goods manufacturing, transportation, public utilities, wholesale/retail trade, services and public administration.

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