Bank opening another branch in Cape Girardeau

First Missouri State Bank of Cape County has purchased property for a branch location at 800 North Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, most recently home to Bank of America.

The bank has secured the proper approvals from the Missouri Division of Finance and the FDIC to proceed with opening a branch.

"We know that a site with this much history in the community will allow us to continue providing our customers with the level of service that they have come to expect from us," said Jay Knudtson, First Missouri State Bank executive vice president. The property is the former location of Wimpy's, Farmers and Merchants Bank and Boatmen's Bank.

First Missouri State Bank plans to remodel the space before opening the branch. An opening date has not yet been set.

It is one of two locally chartered banks in Cape Girardeau County. It has assets in excess of $105 million and have 28 employees. It currently has locations at 2 South Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau, 1846 East Jackson Blvd. in Jackson and inside the Chateau Girardeau Retirement Community at 3120 Independence Street in Cape Girardeau.

* Barbecue restaurant opens: Monk's and Brook's Kitchen has opened at 435 Morgan Oak St. in Cape Girardeau. The restaurant specializes in barbecue and offers dine-in, carry-out and catering services. It is managed by Brook Patterson of Cape Girardeau. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

* New coffeehouse opens: Calix Coffee is now open at 818 Broadway in Cape Girardeau at the former Grace Cafe location. Owner Andrew Whaley of Jackson previously worked at Grace Cafe as a barista. In addition to coffees and fresh baked pastries, Whaley hopes to add sandwiches and salads in the future. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

* New business at former Sonic: HD Media Systems of Jackson will be relocating in May to the former Sonic site at 2126 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. The company, in its fifth year in business offers home theater systems, audio video installation, home security lighting control, smart home design and integration, computer sales and networking as phone systems. It is owned by Scott Starzinger and Drew Balsman.

* Senior housing project recognized: Schultz Senior Apartments in Cape Girardeau, developed by Chad Hartle, received a 2011 Preserve Missouri award earlier this month during the Missouri Preservation's annual awards ceremony. The development was one of seven recognized by the organization. The project was nominated for the award by Old Town Cape Inc. Hartle renovated the historic school building into 45 units of affordable senior housing.

* Car dealership, auto financing: First Auto Credit has opened at Kinder Motor Co., 2856 Sappington Drive in Jackson. Both businesses are owned by David Kinder. First Auto Credit specializes in cars priced below $5,000, Kinder said. The company offers customers buy here, pay here house financing without credit checks or interest charges.

* New consignment business: The Consignment Center, owned by David Kinder and Kyle McDowell, is now open in the former William Nobbe John Deer dealership, 2990 Old Orchard Road in Jackson. The new business sells cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs campers, ATVs boats, trailers and airplanes on consignment. The dealership is on six acres with 20,000 square-feet of indoor showroom and storage space. Its inventory is also featured on its website, www.Consignment-center.com. "We both have a lot of customers that want to sell their vehicles or RVs, but our businesses were out of room," said David Kinder. Co-owner Kyle McDowell also owns McDowell South RV in Jackson.

* Wound center celebrates anniversary: Continental Wound Center, operated by Dr. Laura E. Holmes and Dr. John Mackel, is celebrating five years of chronic wound care in the Cape Girardeau are this month. Dr. Holmes develops individualized treatment plans that maximize healing based on the special needs of the patient, and she was the first physician in Southeast Missouri to be board certified in hyperbaric medicine. For more information, visit www.cwcheals.com.

* Bank of Missouri expands: The Bank of Missouri, headquartered in Perryville, Mo., has agreed to purchase two new facilities in southwest Missouri. Its new banks are in Ozark, Mo., and Springfield, Mo. The bank has served the southwest Missouri market for about five years with branches in Republic, Mo., however these acquisitions will allow it to expand its customer base and diversify geographically, said David Crader, CEO of The Bank of Missouri in a news release.

* Emergency food, shelter funding available: Cape Girardeau County is eligible to receive federal funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Last year $38,126 was awarded to the county for use in assisting individuals with housing, shelter, meals and food. Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funding may contact John McGowan with the United Way of Southeast Missouri at 334-9634. Applications are due Thursday. Visit www.unitedwayofsemo.org/EFSP.aspx for more information.

* Re-opening open house: Benchmark Healthcare, 28601 U.S. 61 in Scott City, will host a grand re-opening open house from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Started by Clara Sells in 1938, Benchmark Healthcare is now a third-generation family business offering assisted living, independent living and skilled nursing, memory care, health and wellness, behavioral health, rehabilitation and palliative care.

Southeast Missourian business reporter Melissa Miller may be contacted at 388-3646 or mmiller@semissourian.com.