Eggimann Feed and Seed to be razed

As the frame of the new federal courthouse slowly rises at the corner of Independence and Frederick Streets in Cape Girardeau, a half-century-old building across the street will be biting the dust. Owner Vince Kelley has announced that Eggimann Feed and Seed at 514 Independence will be demolished before the end of July.

Kelley cited the condition of the structure as the primary reason for the decision. He said the building -- which has been abandoned for over 10 years -- would cost more to bring up to code than it would to demolish it.

Right now, Kelley said, he intends to rebuild on the land, but doesn't yet have a plan for that building's use. He plans to wait and monitor the progress of the courthouse before leasing the building out as office space, a restaurant or something else that can take advantage of the location's potential.

Kohl's to Cape? This has become the Holy Grail of Cape Girardeau business rumors over the past few weeks. Here's what I can tell you:

Mayor Jay Knudtson said the Wisconsin-based chain of department stores has been in negotiations with the city of Cape Girardeau and unnamed developers about locating a store on land adjacent to Lowe's Home Improvement on Siemers Drive. In addition, over the past couple of months, Drury Land Development Inc. has been working to get Cape Girardeau to annex a 33.04-acre tract of land bordering the western part of the city limits south and west of Lowe's. City documents say that Drury Land Development is "pursuing further development of the Cape West Business Park."

Kohl's corporate office has not made any official announcement that it's coming to town and therefore would not comment on any "speculation." Neither has Drury Land Development made any specific announcement as to its intention with the tract of land by Lowe's.

Good times ready to roll in Jackson: Two weeks ago, Quizno's opened its doors in the Boulevard Plaza in Jackson. According to developer Jim Maevers, it is just the precursor of more openings in the coming days.

Right next to Quizno's, Movie Gallery is currently interviewing personnel, and Maevers targeted a June 25 opening.

But Maevers' biggest project is rolling along on Main Street. On June 19, Main Street Lanes bowling alley will hold a private party for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Three shifts of young bowlers will be the first to try out the new Brunswick bowling equipment in the new 18-lane facility, which will also feature a snack bar, sports bar and arcade.

Maevers said some carpeting and tiling still needs to be done before the lanes are open to the public on July 2.

Old Taco Bell sold: The building at 1740 Broadway that for years was the only Taco Bell in Cape Girardeau has been sold to John Cai, owner of China Palace restaurant just down the street at 2123 Broadway.

Cai said he will not be relocating his restaurant to the new building but is currently in negotiations with people interested in renting the building, which most recently was the home of Illustrious Jack's frozen custard shop. Cai is not yet sure what type of business will locate there.

BPL's launch date in jeopardy: In March, I reported that Big River Telephone and Ameren Corp. were targeting today, June 1, as the launch date for their new BPL -- broadband over powerline -- service. That date is in question, due to pressure from certain interest groups, namely AARL, the national association for amateur radio operators.

The service would deliver broadband Internet service via normal electrical lines. ARRL contends that the FCC needs to hold deployment of the new service to allow more thorough research of its interference potential to licensed radio services.

Big River and Ameren have been testing this technology in certain areas of Cape Girardeau for the past two years with no reports of any significant problems. Big River president Kevin Cantwell said as far as he knows, the project is moving forward but an exact timetable is still up in the air.

"The continued assault by special interest groups to stop the use of this technology has obviously delayed the all-out deployment by Ameren," Cantwell said. "They are still active and very much working with the technology, but it is not here today for commercial utilization."

Tony Rehagen is the business editor of the Southeast Missourian. Send your comments, business news, information or questions to Tony Rehagen, 301 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0699, e-mail trehagen@semissourian.com or call 335-6611, extension 137.