Cafe Mane -- not Main -- Street coming to Jackson

Even though Christo and Terri Chriss are about to open a new restaurant in Jackson called Cafe Mane Street, the first thing Terri wanted to talk about is the terrifically ancient building it's going to be in.

"It's a wonderfully historic building," Terri said. "It's been around 100 years, and we'll be the fifth tenants ever. We're lucky to be there."

The building at 131 W. Main, near the corner of Main and Missouri, was actually built in 1898 and was the Willer Seed and Harness Shop. That's the reason they're calling their new restaurant, which they hope to open in late April or early May, Cafe Mane Street.

The wooden horse that used to serve as a show horse for harnesses has sat in the window since 1898, according to Dave Willer, the grandson of the original Willer. He is leasing the building to the Chrisses. Folks still recall the horse's name -- Prince Truxton III, or Eli for short.

"A lot of people saw that horse there for many, many years," Terri said.

But that the restaurant is opening is also good news. The style of the restaurant is American cuisine.

They'll be cooking "foods inspired by the richness of country life, foods of my Midwest upbringing," Terri said.

There will be a full breakfast menu and lunch will include down-home but innovative soups, sandwiches and daily plate-lunch specials, such as fried chicken, meat loaf, chicken and dumplings, ham and beans and country fried pork.

Terri also wanted me to emphasize that everything is homemade from scratch.

They're not going to be open on Sundays or evenings at first, but they will later on, she said. When they do, Terri said that they're going to feature "family-style dinners," with seasonal recipes collected throughout her life. Those include fried green tomatoes (sans Kathy Bates), wilted lettuce, garden green beans and peach cobbler.

"We're going to open on evenings when we get the rest down right," Terri said. "Our customers will let us know when it's time."

From the sound of it, that won't take long.

Soskin to sell Mitsubishis

Starting today, Soskin Cape Toyota will also be selling Mitsubishis. Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America recently announced that it had awarded the Mitsubishi automobile franchise in Cape Girardeau to Alan Soskin.

Renovations have begun at the new Soskin Cape Toyota facility to add an exclusive Mitsubishi showroom. Located at 357 Siemers Drive, Soskin Cape Mitsubishi will feature a three-vehicle showroom, sales offices, a sales management office, customer waiting lounge and restrooms.

Service and parts operations will be shared with Soskin Cape Toyota. Soskin has hired Ed Rhodes as Mitsubishi new car sales manager.

Construction is expected to be completed next month. Soskin estimates that this expansion and additional investments will bring Soskin's total investment in his Cape Girardeau businesses to over $6 million since coming to town in 1998.

"Cape Girardeau is a wonderful place and I will continue to reinvest due to the people of this community," Soskin said. Soskin also thanked Mayor Jay Knudtson and the Chamber of Commerce for convincing Mitsubishi to open a Cape Girardeau franchise.

Some Albertsons guesses

I believe the news on the Albertsons is imminent, no more than two months away. I asked for guesses, so here some of them are. I left the last names off to protect the innocent.

From a man known only as Delbert: "My guess is that Kohl's will move in there. They have an aggressive expansion program or did before the economy went sour."

Julie writes: "My guess, and my hope, for the former Albertson's building is Kohl's. When the building first became available, I e-mailed Kohl's about the location. The e-mail was forwarded to someone (don't remember what department) who said that while they weren't interested at that time, they would keep the information on file."

And then there was the cynic. From Joshua: "I lived in Cape for the first 23 years of my life and now live in Manhattan, Kan. My guess on the Albertson's building: Nothing that will be open for more than 18 months before it has to close its doors."

Debbie submitted for her husband, Tim, who thinks it will be a Bass Pro Shop. That would be a lot of lures.

Jay wrote: "The larger building will probably be a Super Dollar Store, and the smaller building will sell liquor and cigarettes."

Shelby offered this: "I'm praying this will either be a Kohl's Department Store or a TJ Maxx. Or how about a new Sears?"

Shelby gets bonus points because she loves Biz Buzz and for saying she'd love to get a White Castle. She's been in withdrawal since moving here from St. Louis 10 years ago.

Briefly

I hear that the owner of Broussard's is looking to sell the downtown restaurant. Any takers?

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.