Couple bringing 'sweet things' to Cape

A bakery without doughnuts? It just might be crazy enough to work.

Sweet Things, a new Cape Girardeau bakery set to open by Aug. 1 at 1908 Independence St., will feature many a tasty item, but you won't find doughnuts.

"It's going to be part of the sign: No doughnuts," said Pura Fitzgerald, who will own the business along with her husband, Jerry.

That's because Jerry Fitzgerald -- also the baker -- finds making doughnuts too time consuming and prefers to focus on what he considers the finer baking arts -- such as pies, cakes and brownies.

The couple owned a bakery and cafe in Old Town Spring, Texas, Pura said.

But her husband is originally from Cape Girardeau. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather operated the Bambi Bakery at Good Hope and Frederick streets until 1955.

"We liked it in Texas, but we decided we wanted to move back here and open a bakery," Pura said. "It was quite successful, but Jerry wanted to come back to his roots."

They have a target opening date of Aug. 1, but Pura said they are hoping to open before that.

Jerry's specialties range from the more traditional cakes to unconventional sounding items like Italian creme cake and cheddar cheese jalapeno beer bread.

Who needs doughnuts?

* Land sold for new Jackson development: Roughly 32 acres of property have been purchased on U.S. 61 north in Jackson for a new mixed-use development with plans to incorporate commercial, duplexes and single-family sections.

Donker's Inc., owned by Jerry Stoverink and Jason Liley, recently acquired the prime Jackson acreage from Larry and Audrey Borgfield. Tom Kelsey, commercial broker with Lorimont Place Ltd., represented the Borgfields in the sale.

The land, which is from the Borgfield farm, fronts U.S. 61, just north of the Deer Ridge Animal Hospital at 1807 N. High St. in Jackson. With almost 500 feet of highway frontage on U.S. 61, it is likely the frontage portion of the property will be used for commercial uses with the balance divided between duplex and residential.

Kelsey said he also represents the Borgfields in an adjacent 38-acre parcel along U.S. 61 and just north of this acquired property. It is being marketed for commercial or industrial use. This acreage has more than 1,200 feet of highway frontage. The city of Jackson's new industrial park is directly north of this property.

* KFVS acquiring house for parking: The always affable Mike Smythe has passed along a bit of news regarding KFVS12 (and UPN, the Beat -- he's even got me doing it.)

The television station is in the process of buying the house directly behind the downtown Cape Girardeau building. The station needs more parking and plans to raze the house to put in more parking.

The project won't start until summer 2006, but Smythe said it should add 30 additional spaces.

* Engineering firm relocates offices: Smith & Co. Engineers have relocated to 1021 Kingsway Drive, Suite 2 in Cape Girardeau. Tom Kelsey handled the lease transaction.

Kelsey said the engineering firm had previously been in uptown Jackson but had outgrown that facility. The newly expanded office is in the Sunset Towers professional development owned by Rhodes Real Estate Partners. The space was formerly used for many years by Schott & Co.

Smith & Co., based in Poplar Bluff, Mo., was founded in 1968 and has more than 40 people on staff, including 13 graduate engineers, three registered land surveyors and three graduate geologists.

The company provides complete civil engineering and land surveying services including concrete and soil testing laboratories. Chris Layton, registered professional engineer is the Cape Girardeau manager.

* New Jackson business: Jamie Burgfeld-Hefner has opened what she calls an "upscale consignment boutique" called New To You. The store in uptown Jackson carries products like clothing for newborns, babies, children, teens, maternity and new parents.

It will also provide items for multiples, preemies and those with special needs.

"We have a strong desire in helping local families find a better way to move no-longer-needed merchandise out of their homes without wasting these goods," she said. "We want to emphasize the value that remains in items paid for with hard-earned dollars."

The store is at 105 E. Adams St.

* Speaking of Jackson: El Bracero, the Mexican restaurant I wrote about a month or so back, is planning to open within a week.

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