Francine's daughter continues tradition

Francine Seier's daughter is finally making her late mother's wish come true. Debby Erlbacher is taking over the flower shop and wedding garden her mother ran for nearly 20 years at 38 N. Pacific St.

"When she died five years ago her wishes were that the flower shop and gardens would go to her children," said Erlbacher, who bought the business two weeks ago from House Doctor owner Rick Hetzel. "But unfortunately that didn't happen because of personal reasons. Now, I'm thrilled it is happening."

Though I should be quick to note it's not exactly the same business. Seier, the wife of former judge A.J. Seier, sold flowers as well as hosted weddings in the regal, ivy-filled garden. Erlbacher's business is now exclusively an elegant, flower-filled spot for weddings, parties and business meetings.

"We're seeing second generations of weddings back here," Erlbacher said. "Women say, 'My parents were married here.'"

They already have about half of next year's weekends booked for weddings.

The garden also features an ornate pavilion and covered area that is used for dancing or hosting a meal. They also have a way to enclose the gardens so it can be used in colder weather, she said.

In April, they plan to open the gardens to the public for a tulip festival, which is being put in now by horticulture students from the Career and Technology Center.

It's all been gratifying for Erlbacher.

"My mother owned two houses on Themis, and this is the back yard that I grew up in," she said. "The first part of the garden was the back yard."

So far, Erlbacher is leasing the land from Hetzel with an option to buy. She said she hopes to purchase the gardens and the building itself so it can be back in their family.

"All of this means working seven days a week, probably 12 hours a day," Erlbacher said. "It's a lot of work. But every time a bride goes down that aisle, my mother's legacy lives on. For that, it's worth it to me."

Down at the Sunset Grill

Chuck Kaminksy and Kevin Brannock are opening the Sunset Grill at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park.

It's going in the spot where the old China Gate Restaurant was, which is right across from Chick-Fil-A, Brannock said. The restaurant was scheduled to be open by today.

The restaurant will serve pizza along with an assortment of fried food such as chicken on a stick (which I've never heard of, but it sounds good, doesn't it?), breaded mushrooms, beer-batter onion rings, garlic mozzarella sticks, honey-dipped corn dogs (again I say, mmmmm ...), and hard-serve ice cream.

The men also own two other businesses at the mall, Sun Studios and the kiosk that sells sunglasses and caps.

Elan closes

Elan Day Spa, which was bought earlier this year by Vel Green, has closed.

I couldn't reach Green to find out why, but Dr. J. Thomas Critchlow, who shared space with Elan, wanted everyone to know that the Esthetic Center is still open. The center features hair and vein removal, other services as well as BioMedic facials and MicroPeels.

Critchlow said his patients can also look forward to some remodeling work that is being done.

All Star Delivery

Family Moving and Storage at 1301 N. Kingshighway is expanding to include a new business called All Star Delivery Service.

Owner Ronnie Luttrell said they're going to offer local delivery, including such large items as hot tubs and pianos.

Briefly

Rent A Center has bought out Show Me Rent to Own, according to the new manager, Packy Ayers. The store is at 2136 William. The rent-to-own store offers stereo systems, electronics, refrigerators, washers and dryers, dinette systems, big-screen televisions, etc.

For those who are paying attention to the World Series, here's my prediction (and I hate this): Yankees in six. But at least the Cubs are out of it and Cubs fan Steve Bjelich will be forced to get that cap off of the billboard baby's head.

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.