Fred's discount store coming to Jackson

But I thought it was going to be a bowling alley.

Well, plans change, and now Jackson developer Jim Maevers is planning to put a Fred's discount store in the old Wal-Mart building, along with another retailer that he can't announce yet.

Fred's is set to open May 1 and will occupy about 18,000 square feet of the 31,000-square-foot building at 2001 E. Jackson Blvd. The other tenant -- which I will tell you about next week -- will occupy about 12,000 square feet.

Memphis-based Fred's Inc. operates 441 discount general merchandise stores, including one in Cape Girardeau. Maevers said it will be similar in size and layout to the Cape Girardeau store. He said future expansion plans for the store could include a pharmacy.

Maevers said now he plans to put the bowling alley that he had originally hoped to put in the Wal-Mart building in the 21,000-square-foot Food Giant building he owns that closed last October.

Maevers also has plans for the rest of the seven acres that surround Wal-Mart. He wants to build two restaurants and maybe another store or two to accompany the Save-A-Lot, the Dollar General Store and Show Me Rent to Own.

"We're working on the overall development of the shopping center," Maevers said. "We're looking at adding some additional retail space and restaurant space in the parking lot and on the eastern-most side of the property."

Maevers said they are trying to create a destination for shoppers.

"A place where they can get some groceries, have something to eat or get other general merchandise," he said. "We see a need for that sort of development in Jackson."

Though it's subject to change, the two restaurants that Maevers are talking to include fast-food and a sit-down restaurant. He expects those businesses to open in the fourth quarter.

He plans to call the overall development Boulevard Plaza.

"It needs to get away from being called the Wal-Mart property," he said. "It needs a new identity."

Spoiling Spot

Any working parent knows that finding dependable day care that will give your little one an active -- yet safe -- environment is as important as anything on your Palm Pilot.

But what if your baby is named Fluffy, has four feet and fur?

If this is the case and your "baby" isn't a dog, well, that's unfortunate. But if you have a dog that you love like a child, then you might want to sniff out Happy Tails Doggy Day Care.

The new service will be a part of the Jackson-based K-9 Training Center at 426 E. Main. Happy Tails Doggy Day Care opens Feb. 24, said owner Larry Stone, and is for doggy parents who don't like leaving their dogs at home alone all day.

The obedience school has been successful since it opened a year ago, training about 500 dogs in 2002. He said what he learned during that time is that dog owners feel guilty about leaving their pets at home -- or even in cages -- while they work.

"Dog owners are like parents," Stone said. "They don't want their dogs to stay at home, get bored and just sit around."

Dogs taken there will be profiled for personality type and interests and matched with similar dogs, says manager and dog lover Bobbi Mize.

"Dogs will be matched for temperament," she said. "They're just like people. They want to be around others that are like them."

Athletic dogs that like to run and chase balls will be paired and given aggressive schedules. Lethargic dogs will be allowed to lay around and get body massages and sit in people's laps.

Mize has 10 of her own, from poodles to Rottweilers. In other words, she knows dogs. She says there will be entire rooms for the dogs to romp around in, games will be scheduled and there will be nap time. Dogs will get to play outside -- recess? -- and they will be closely watched.

"A day care is exactly what it is," Mize said. "We're not just caging dogs and forgetting about them. It is really basically no different than a child's day care."

Changes in the dog will be quickly noticeable, she said.

"After one or two days at doggy day care, these dogs will be tired," she said. "Bored dogs start creating their own problems. A tired dog is a happy dog."

Hip new office

Chiropractic Associates of Southeast Missouri has opened its new offices in Jackson at 1404 Old Cape Road, Suite 102. Their offices, said Dr. Stacy Meyr, used to be closer to the downtown area and under a different name.

The business provides chiropractic care for the entire family as well as massage therapy, said Meyr, a Jackson native.

"We made a transition into a new location and a new name," Meyr said. "But we've been practicing here for a few years. We wanted a bigger location and something that was more accessible. Here, we have that."

On the horizon

There's lots of new stuff coming into the area pretty soon. Not all of it's ready for public consumption, but let me whet your appetite. We're getting a new national pizza franchise, a new furniture store and some other interesting stuff that you can read about here first.

I'm also keeping my ears open about Albertsons -- some of you CANNOT wait to see what's happening there.

Briefly

Wes Kinsey tells me that the second My Daddy's Cheesecake will be open by Valentine's Day for sure. The popular Cape Girardeau eatery is expanding with a second location at La Croix Village along Route W. They have an event planned for Valentine's night.

Elan Day Spa has a new owner and manager. Vel Green was introduced as the new owner last week. Green is the former owner of the Green Door Day Spa in St. Louis.

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.