Fantasticks moves after 20 years

trehagen

After 20 years in the Plaza Galleria, The Fantasticks has found a new home in the Westfield Shoppingtown West Park in Cape Girardeau. The collectibles, home accent and holiday store recently opened up in the old Gospeland shop near J.C. Penney and across from Old Navy.

According to co-owner Betty Talbert, the opening of this prime location was half of the impetus for the move. The other half was that she and her co-owner husband, C.R. Talbert Jr., are selling the Plaza Galleria.

"We're reaching the age at which we've just decided to decrease our responsibilities," Betty Talbert said. She said that her husband intends to continue his medical practice, and she will continue her work with The Fantasticks.

She also hinted that the move is in response to the preliminary interest of a prospective buyer of the Galleria, although she declined to elaborate.

Betty Talbert said it was also important for her to get the move done before the holiday season kicks into gear.

Speaking of the Shoppingtown, in case you haven't noticed, there's been a lot of moving around there. Try to stay with me.

Mary Ann Sample, owner of Purse 'N' ality by Mary's Gems located just off of center court, recently announced that her store of unique purses, pocketbooks and accessories will move across the way into the store currently occupied by Bath N Body Works. Between now and Nov. 1, Bath N Body Works will move into the store formerly occupied by KB Toys, which recently moved into what was part of Lerner New York. Lerner New York changed its name to New York and Co. and moved into the shop that used to be Maurices in the Famous Barr wing. The other part of what was formerly Lerner New York is now occupied by an expanded Finish Line, which leap-frogged Radio Shack, moving closer to center court.

In addition, the new New York and Co. just got a new neighbor, Color Me Beautiful cosmetics and accessories store, located directly across from Hollister and Co. in the Famous Barr wing. Any questions?

Cape nights at the Roxbury: Perryville's Aladdin Garris is ready to take his act to a bigger stage.

For the past two years, Garris has owned and operated Shaker's nightclub and bar in Perryville. A lot of his regulars came from Jackson and Cape Girardeau. That gave him the idea to open a new nightclub in Cape Girardeau. Here he can tap into a college town with a bigger population.

The Roxbury will be at 823 S. Kingshighway, the building that formerly housed such gathering spots as Chance's. Garris is remodeling the facility into a club where people 18 and up can come and dance to DJs and live entertainment. He said he plans to be open on Thursdays for a sort of college discount night and Saturdays for a dance night. He will also try to book the best in local and national bands.

He hopes to open by Thursday.

Stretching the dollar store: Paul Saurer is stretching his assets.

Last August, Saurer opened his Simply A Dollar dollar store at 213 S. Broadview in West Broadview Center. Now after a year of growing, he recently saw fit to double his floor space by expanding into the suite next door.

According to David Donely with Commercial Real Estate Specialists Inc., his wife recently leased Saurer an additional 1,200-square-foot space at 209 S. Broadview, adding that onto the 1,200 square feet he already occupied.

Saurer said he has accordingly doubled his inventory to fill the new space.

Tony Rehagen is the business editor for 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.