Antiques taking over downtown

For more than 15 years, it was Riverside Gymnastics. Then for several years it was Main Street Furniture. Starting July 1, the property at 45 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau -- one of downtown's larger buildings -- will take on another incarnation, this time as Pastimes Antiques.

My first reaction: Another antique shop downtown? Do we really need another?

We've already got Brick Street Gallery in the old Save-A-Lot building, the new Spanish Street Mercantile, Annie-Em's Antiques and Gifts on Main and Another Time Another Place and Annie Laurie Antique Mall, both on Broadway.

But Deb and Jim Maevers, who are opening Pastimes Antiques, say they feel there's room for one more.

"We want to offer to tourists an antique mecca," said Jim Maevers, of Maevers Development. "We think people who are looking for antiques are going to want to be in the general location of several antique stores. That way, they have options and they can spend some time looking at a lot of different antiques."

The main floor is 10,000 square feet, and the lower floor is 6,000 square feet. Deb Maevers will run the shop, opening the building to 40 to 50 tenants who will set up booths on a consignment plan. Ten to 15 people have already expressed interest.

"This is not going to be a flea market," Maevers said. "People will be able to come here for specialty gift items."

The Maevers bought the building from Dave Knight, of Ole Hickory Pits fame. Tom Kelsey, commercial broker with Lorimont Place, handled the real estate transaction.

D&K to double its size

D&K Healthcare supplies pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medicines, health and beauty products and pharmacy-related services to customers in more than two dozen states.

Know where its largest distribution center is? It's right here in River City.

Many of you probably didn't know that. Those of you who did may also have known -- especially if you've driven past it recently -- that the center is getting bigger.

Construction has already begun on an expansion to the Cape Girardeau distribution center, which has 87 employees. The company is adding 60,000 square feet to the existing building to nearly double the size of the facility at 1823 Rust Ave. The distribution center will have 124,000 square feet when the expansion is completed, which is expected in January.

The company plans to install new automated machinery and equipment in the new facility, including sophisticated materials handling equipment for receiving, storing and distributing large quantities and varieties of products.

Automated conveyor systems and order-fulfillment equipment will be included in the facility.

D&K focuses on selling products and services to major segments of the pharmaceutical market: independent pharmacies, retail chains, national warehousing chains and health-care institutions such as hospitals, alternate care facilities and pharmacy benefit-management companies.

Wired in

Bening Communications/ Verizon Wireless is scheduled to open today at 351 N. Kingshighway, becoming the company's fifth wireless telephone office, along with Illinois stores in Sparta, Nashville, Mascoutah and Carbondale.

The store will sell Verizon cell phones and accessories, said owner Kay Bening. At first, there will be four employees. More part-timers will come on board after school starts this fall, she said.

Quickly

Phoenicia, which serves Mediterranean food at 1000 N. Sprigg, is closing for the summer while owners Emad and Mimi Salamy work on a new cookbook. The restaurant is expected to open again on Aug. 17. Emad said, "Tell the customers to have a nice summer."

Papa Murphy's, a national pizza chain, is opening its store Wednesday in the strip mall at 2510 William, the same mall that has Blockbuster Video.

Hibbett's Sports is opening June 14 at Town Plaza.

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 smoyers@semissourian.com or call 335-6611, extension 137.