Blue Cross vague about Siemers Drive rumor

So far it's just a rumor. But an employee at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri has assured me that the health benefits company will close its Cape Girardeau facility at 471 Siemers Drive in 18 months.

I don't just run with rumors, even in a semi-gossip column like "Biz Buzz," so I called Blue Cross. The manager there couldn't comment on the record. But I was directed to a marketing person who works in the Milwaukee, Wis., office.

What company spokeswoman Jill Becher said was intriguing and won't be all that reassuring if you work at Blue Cross.

"Right now, there have been no decisions made," Becher said. "What you're hearing, it's just a rumor at this point."

I asked if closing the Cape Girardeau facility was being considered.

"We are always looking to reduce administrative cost and make health care more affordable to members," she said. "In order to remain competitive, we must seek opportunities to improve our operations and efficiencies."

When pressed, Becher just continued the mantra of "no decision has been made."

Like I said: not encouraging.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri is the oldest and largest health benefits company in Missouri. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri is an operating subsidiary of WellPoint Inc., the nation's largest publicly traded commercial health benefits company serving the health-care needs of approximately 28 million members nationally.

Judging from what Becher said, I can't say for sure that the local facility is closing. But I sure can't say it isn't.

* Station West space on the market: Station West Floor to Ceiling decorating center has officially closed at Shawnee Center, at the intersection of Highway 74 and South Silver Springs Road.

The decorating showroom featured kitchens, baths, floor coverings and other interior and exterior home decorating items.

Frequent Biz Buzz contributor Tom Kelsey, commercial broker with Lorimont Place, Ltd., confirmed that his company will be seeking a new tenant for the 8,400-square-foot retail space. Kelsey feels the prime space that has anchored the 27,900-square-foot Shawnee Center with its high traffic and visibility location, closeness to Interstate 55 and immediate availability should be appealing to a variety of retail businesses.

The 18-foot-tall showroom ceilings are quite spectacular and should be beneficial for most retail uses, Kelsey said. The Lorimont broker also said the development owner would modify the space to the next tenant's use and would even consider dividing the space to accommodate two businesses.

Station West will continue in business in a smaller and less elaborate showroom operation. It will focus less on homeowner sales and concentrate on its builder and wholesale clients. No new location has been announced by the owner, according to Kelsey.

* New portrait studio in Jackson: Reflections Portrait Studios has opened at 107 E. Adams St. in Jackson. Photographer David Vaeth, who owns it with his wife, Luana, describes it as a small, family-owned portrait studio that does weddings, senior pictures, "just about anything."

For Vaeth, photography was a hobby that turned into something more.

"We always wanted to own a shop of our own," he said. "We're not trying to be Cheekwood, obviously. We're just trying to be a small-town operation with our own flavor."

* Taking vendors: SEMO Antique Mall in Scott City is taking new vendors, starting today. The new mall, which will open the first of May with 83 booths, is owned by Marie Mayberry. It will feature a hodgepodge, including furniture, pictures, lamps, etc. There will be 32 display cases.

Scott Moyers is the business editor of the Southeast Missourian. Send your comments, business news, information or questions to "Biz Buzz," 301 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0699, or e-mail them to smoyers@semissourian.com or call (573) 335-6611, extension 137.