Downtown clock strikes 25 year milestone

Old Town Cape and the Special Business District will recognize the 25th birthday of the clock at Main and Themis streets in downtown Cape Girardeau at 5:30 p.m. June 28 with a community celebration.

"It's a way to highlight all the improvements at the riverfront area," said Marla Mills, executive director of Old Town Cape. "It's not just about the clock. It's a way to celebrate all the Special Business District has accomplished."

Property owners within the Special Business District pay additional property taxes to fund improvements in the riverfront area. Along with the clock, other projects included maintaining decorative lighting, purchasing benches and planters, and improving parking lots.

The district, formed about 30 years ago, includes Spanish, Main and Water streets, from Merriwether Street north to Bellevue Street.

The clock's birthday celebration will include hot dogs, birthday cake, ice cream and live music. For more information, call Old Town Cape, 334-8085.

* Chick-fil-A sets August opening: The first 100 customers to camp out in the parking lot for 24 hours before Cape Girardeau's new restaurant opens will receive free Chick-fil-A for a year. The company plans to open its new location off William Street in late August, said Brenda Morrow, spokeswoman for Chick-fil-A. She said its store-opening camp outs have become well known, with scores of people waiting in hopes of getting a coupon book with 52 free-meal coupons. The company is aggressively expanding with plans to add 90 locations to its restaurant portfolio this year, according to its website.

* Communications company expands: Hi-Tech Communications Inc. has acquired Q Audio & Video of Cape Girardeau and Microcomputer Services of Sikeston and Caruthersville, Mo. The company's combined work force now includes 40 professionals representing technical, design, sales, marketing and administration functions. Hi-Tech Communications, Inc. offers system integration for security, telecommunications, fire safety, professional sound, computers and networking, custom home theater and alarm monitoring. The company has been locally owned and operated since 1996 with offices in Cape Girardeau and Sikeston serving Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky.

* New businesses: Silver Eclipse jewelry store has opened at 703 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. It is owned by Iqbal Hussain of Cape Girardeau, according to a business license application filed at City Hall.

Tangles Hair Salon has opened at 1928 Golden Eagle Court. It is owned by Brandy Parsons of Jackson.

Evolve Hair Studio, 3100 Pioneer Drive, No. 33, will open in July, according to a business license application filed at City Hall. It is owned by Race Bradley.

The Hot Dog Express has received a business license. Owner Chris Sarakas of Cape Girardeau will prepare and serve hot dogs and bratwurst from a mobile cart.

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