Bait and Tackle back in Jackson

After a five-month hiatus, the morning coffee drinkers of Jackson can rest easy.

At 6 a.m. on Sept. 15, Jackson Bait and Tackle reopened for business and for the 10 to 20 patrons who congregate there every morning to drink coffee and share their takes on the world around them.

In April, Jackson Bait and Tackle was one of 12 Wink's convenience stores that suddenly closed due to the failure of their owner, the California-based American Retail Services. Those stores were in Jackson, Cape Girardeau, Scott City, Dexter, Sikeston, New Madrid and East Prairie. When American Retail failed, its New York bank took the properties under receivership, with the intent to find owners or tenants. They contacted area businessman Kevin Stanfield.

Stanfield, who is also the local Blimpie's franchisee and part owner of My Daddy's Cheesecake, said his company, Host Enterprises, had actually owned the Wink's Stores before selling them to American Retail in December 2000. Stanfield said West Side Investments, a company owned by his father, Bill, has now entered into an agreement with the New York bank to open the Jackson store, which will now be run under the name Jackson Bait and Tackle. Stanfield added that there are currently negotiations in the works to reopen some of the other Wink's locations, but nothing is definite.

As for the Jackson store, which has become a local landmark of sorts since it opened more than a decade ago, manager Dawn Lucas said it's steadily being brought back up to speed. It will continue to be a bait store and check in station for local sportsmen, and she said the food is starting back up.

Stanfield added that the property is currently open to resale.

New building at Missouri Dry Dock: After 25 years of flooding, enough is enough for Missouri Dry Dock and Repair Co. in Cape Girardeau.

Since 1979, a storage building located on the flood stage at the dock on 500 Aquamsi St. has taken on water. In the big flood of 1993, equipment was damaged when a wall of the old building collapsed, flooding the entire facility. But it wasn't until a year ago that assistant to the president Aaron Dombrowski said the company finally decided to do something about it. The fruit of that long decision has now been completed.

In July, crews completed work on a brand new 43,000-square-foot building about 500 feet to the south of the old one, located well off the flood stage. Dombrowski said the new building will serve as a machine and propeller shop as well as a storage room.

As for the old building, Dombrowski said it's currently being used for storage. As for as a long-term plan for the old vulnerable facility, he simply said, "I haven't looked that far ahead yet."

Cleaner air in Patton: Five weeks ago, Barbara Agnew was suffering like so many people with allergies.

Her hay fever was restricting her breathing, so she went out and bought an EcoQuest fresh air purifier. She said her coughing stopped and she was breathing more easily.

To back up her endorsement, Agnew and her husband have decided to go into business, selling EcoQuest air and water purifiers out of their Patton, Mo., home. The Agnews started their nameless home business three weeks ago.

"We started this business to offer people a way to rid their homes or businesses of smoke, odors and tobacco smoke," Agnew said.

The units can be used to kill mold, mildew and bacteria and have an improved sanitizing feature. Agnew said they do free three-day home evaluations for both air and water purifiers. They are located at R.R. 1 Box 2177 in Patton.

New True 32 in Cape: Woodworker Jim Schuette recently announced that he has changed the name and expanded the aim of his Cape Girardeau woodworking business. What was Schuette Custom Woodworks will now be known as True 32 Custom Cabinetry.

Along with the change in moniker comes the introduction of European residential cabinetry to Schuette's manufacturing facility at 6810 State Highway 25. Schuette and his crew will continue to make other commercial cabinetry, reception desks, countertops and specialty architectural millwork items for the area's commercial contractors and institutions.

True 32 is also expanding its base to include other cabinetry for the residential market as well.

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.